mm 


.V  .' . 


/^/ 


^•r 


ff^-.w^"'* 


1    .      '  . 
i  ■-■€ jiy-      .  ji; 


^2l. 


■T'-lW^Mjw^H.'TPP' 


|H 

• 

.1^ 

Presented 
Ag;teiv  Coll.  c 

PRINCETON,    N.    J. 

adelphia,  Pa. 

by  Mr.  Samuel  Agnew  of  Phil 

n  Baptism,  No. 

\ 

k. 


\ 


#1^./,^.  ,.. 


m.,- 


:^^  <.**.>-";\.;lt 


A 


I  S  T  O 


O     F 


NEW-ENGLAND, 

With  particular  JFleference  to   the  tJbnorninatiou 
of  Chriflians  called 


P  T  I  S  T 


C    O    N    "T    A 

The  firll  principles  and  fettle-  V 

mcRts  of  the  Country  ;  I 

The  rife  and  increafe  of  the  j 

Eaptift  Churches  therein  ;  j 

T^zintruCionofjIrbitaTyPD-wer  '■ 

under  the  cloak  of  li^iligion  ;  j 


I    N    I    N    G 

The  ChiiftianTeftiiirfcnies  of 
ths  Baptifts  and  others  a- 
g?.inft  the  fame,  with  their 
Suftcrings  under  it,  from  thu 
B^i^iningtotheprefcnif"  ime- 


Colledled    from    moft   authentic   Records   znd 
Writings,  both  Ancient  ?,nd  INJodcrn, 


By  I 


saAc   dackus^ 


Paftor  of  the  firft  Baptill  Ghurth  in  V!iaiebo'o-ac;ii. 


V     Q     L.       I. 


inquire  I  pray  the:,  of  the  formsr  A^e,  and  prepare  llyfclfio  iks 
JEARCu   e.f  their  Fathers,   Job   8,   8. 

Katto  know  what  carne  to  pafs  jeforc  you  were  born,  is  always 
to  remain  a  X^hild.  '^  Cicero. 

BO         S        T        O        In"  : 
P^  I N  T  E  D  B  Y  E  D  W  A  R  D    DRAPER,   a/  h  i  s  Prixtir^-  - 

Oj^Vf  I  N   Nsrubury-S/reef,      AMD  S  O  LO  KY_  P  H  I  L  L  1 1' 

FKEEMAN,    i:m  Um'sn-Strcst,     1777. 


I  S  T  O  R  Y    has  been  fo  often  wriltcri  z^nd 

improved,    cither   for   party    purpofes,    or 

meer  amufement,  that  fome  ferious  perfbns  have 
been  ready  to  treat  it  as  a  thing  foreign  from  re.>» 
iigion,  and  of  little  fervice  to  mankind.  Yet  the 
*  fame  perfbns  will  readily  own,  that  nothing  teaches 
like  experience  :  and  what  is  true  hiftory  l)ut  the 
experience  of  thofe  who  have  gone  before  us  ?  o£ 
which  peril  ips  none  have  been  more  remarkable, 
lince  the  att'drs  of  Canaan,  than  thofe  of  this  coun- 
try. And  as  tiie  prefent  contcils  about  liberty  and 
governmeat  are  very  great,  they  call  loudly  for 
all  the  ii^lit  tiiereia  that  C^n  be  gained  from  cvery> 
quarter. 

M'Ti.  Rollin  in  his  ancient  ]\iftory  fays,  "  T/jff 
•powers  thdt  be  are  ordained  of  God  \  but  neither  every 
ufe  that  is  made  of  this  power,  nor  every  means 
for  the  attainment  of  it,  are  from  God,  though 
every  power  be  of  him.  And  when  we  fee  thcfc 
governments  degenerating,  fomecimes  to  violence,, 
fadions,  defpotic  fway  and  tyranny,  'tis  wholly  to 
the  pailions  of  mankind  that  we  muft  afcribe  thofe 
irregularities  which  are  direclly  oppofite  to  the 
primative  inftitution  of  flates  ;  and  which  a  supk- 
H.I0R  WISDOM  afterwards  reduces  to  order,  always 
making  them  contribute  to  the  execution  of  nis- 
deiigas,  full  of  equity  and  juftice.  'J  his  fccne 
highly  deferves  our  attention  and  admiration.  It 
is  with  a  view  of  m^aking  the  reader  attentive  to 
this  objefl:,  that  I  think  it  incumban.t  on  me  to  add 
to  the  account   of  facts  and  events   what  regards 

the 


F    R    E    F    A    G    E. 

tiic  manners  andcuftoms  of  nations;  bccaiifc  tlicfe. 
{liew  their  geniics  and  character,  which  we  may 
c?A]y  ill  ibmc  meafurc.  the  foul  of  hiflory," 

Now  it  may  well  bc!  fiippofe.d,  that  men  who 
z.i'6  ftrivmg  for  more  power  over  others  than  be- 
Ibrigs  to  thfcni,  •will  not  iior  cannot,  fet  either 
their  own  or  their  opponants  geniies  and  cha> 
raclef  in  their  juft  light.  "  And  if  it  fhould  be. 
ionndj  that  near  all,  th^  hiftories  of  this  country 
which  are  miicli  known,  have  been  written  by 
pcrfdiis  who  thought  themiclves  invcfted  with 
pdvVfer  trt  ac^  as  lawgivers  and  iudgcs  for  their 
neighbours^  under  the  name  eitiier  of  orthodoxy, 
of  o.f  iiiimediate  power  froni  heaven,  the  inference 
\vill  be  Tt^dng,  that  our  affairs  have  never  been 
fet  iii  fo  clearliglit  as  they  ought  to  be  ;  and  if' 
this  is  not  indeed  the  cafe  I  am  greatly  miftaken, 
of  which  the  following 'account  will  enable  the 
ircider  tb  judge  for   liimfelf.    ' 

Tiiz  ^T^rdvA  obicclion  that  I  -yzive  heard  a^ainfl 
this  dcfign  i!>j"that  we  ought  not  to  rake  u^  .  i.^ 
afiies  bf  oiir  g-ood  fi!.thers,nor  to  relicarfe  thole  •....d 


cdtitrc.Ycrfies,  which  v/ill  tend  to  •  increaic  our 
prefeiit  diiTiciilties.  '  Eut'what  is  meant  by  tr.is 
oblcctidn  c  Ta  revcd  fccretn,  or  to  repeat  matters 
\hat  have  been,  well  fettled,  betvveen  pcr&ns  or 
parties  is  forbidden,  "and  its  afleds  are  very  perni- 
cious H^iit  whst  is  that  to  a  hiitory  of  public  facts, 
:,ind  in  ^examination  of  the  principles  ann  conduct, 
bothbf  p!pprc4rdr5,^''and  pf  the  'oppreiicd  ? 
'  Mei/  who  are  ilill  fond,  of  ai'bitary  pov  er  may 
iriakc  the  above  objeclion  ^  but  a  learned  and  ia- 
■gcndu5  p.cdcbapti'it  that  iclt' tlie  cHccts  of  Inch 
];;owcr,  lately  laid,  '^.'.The  prefbyteri;ins.  I  confefs 
ji))rnre'Jy  copied  too  'ACirly  the  cpilcopali:.r.F.  The., 
genuine  principles  of  univerfal  andimpartial  liberty 
V\cre  V'  '■  :'.^.  underilood  by  any  ;  iind  ail  parties 
V     "  '       ^  were 


'ISi^r^, 


•f^^t?l*.  .?■:/%. 


PREFACE. 

Vv!ere  too  much  involved  in  the  guilt  of  intoUerance 
gnd  pcifccution.  The  diffentcrs  in  our  times  freely 
acknowledge  this,  and  condemn  the  narrow  prin- 
ci>' cs  of  many  of  their  prcdeccfiors  ;  having  not; 
objection  to  tranfmitting  down  to  poilcrity,  in 
their  true  colours,  the  acls  of  opprfHion  and  in- 
toUerance of  which  all  feels  have  been  guilty.  Not 
indeed,  as  is  fometinies  done,  with  a  view  of  en- 
cpuraging  fuch  conduct  in  one  party  by  the  ex- 
ample  of  others  ;  but  of  expofmg  it  alike  in  all,  and 
preventing  it  wholly,  if  polTible,  in  time  to  come."*' 
This  is  the  great  dcfign  of  the  enfuing  work  ;  and 
which  feeriis  cffentially  nccell^iry  to  that  end.  For 
as  every  one  is  orthodox  to  himielf,  they  who  have 
oppreficd  others,  have  always  denied  it.  After 
our  baptift  fathers  in  Boflon,  h3,d  been  greatly 
injured  for  1 5  years, they  publiihed  a  vindication  of 
vheir  character;  but  as  to  their  other  fuflcrings  con- 
tented themfclves  with,  laying,  ^'=  Some  of  us  v/cr^ 
often-times  brought  before  councils  and  courts, 
threatened, fined,our  eftates  taken  away,imprifoneti 
and  bmiflicd  ;"  a  noted  minifter  called  their  vindi- 
cation,  'Sl  fallacious  narrative,  and  faid,  **^  Errors  lie  in 
generals,  a  particular  account  might  have  been  more 
fiitisfying."  f  Here  therefore  are  a  great  number 
of  particulars  with  good  vouches  to  lupport  them; 
T^hich  fliew  that  opprefilon  on  religious  accounts 
was  not  of  the  firft  principles  of  New-England, 
but  was  an  intruder  that  came  ia  afterward. 

When  I  was  requefted  by  f^veral  gentlemen  of 
note  and  others,  to  undertake  this  work,  two, 
^reat  objections  prefentcd  themfclves  to  my  mind 
i^gainftit  ;  nam.cly,  my  great  unfitnefs  for  it,  and 
the  diiliculty  of  obtaining  the  neceifary  materials/ 
But  their  importunity  prevailed  agalnlt  tlie.  firft, 
and  divine  providence  has  removed,  the  other,  b^ 

conveying 

*  Furn mux's  letter  to  Blackftone.  p.  74., 


PREFACE. 

Conveying  into  my  hands  a  variety  of  authentic' 
materials,  much  beyond  what  I  conceived  could 
have  now  been  obtained  in  the  world.  Many  of 
them  I  have  tai-ien  from  the  ancient  records  ot  the 
colonies  of  Plymouth,  Mall'achufetts,  Provi(^ence 
and  Rhode-Iiiand,  as  well  as  the  records  of  the 
united  colonies  :  thouirhl  reoret  the  want  of  bet- 
ter  acquaintance  with  the  two  latterjbefore  the  lirli 
two  hundred  pages  of  our  hiiiory  were  printed 
off.  Many  other  records  have  alio  been  lervice- 
able  ;  and  I  would  now  retunr  my  public  thanks 
to  the  feveral  gentlemen  who  are  keepers  of  them, 
for  the  candid  and  kind  treatment  they  have 
fliewn  on  this  oc'calion.  A  great  variety  of  other 
manufcripts  have  been  fervicable  to  me,  wjiereof 
Mr.  Hubbard's  hiftory,  and  extracts  from  gover- 
nor  Winthrop's  journal  arc  not  the  Icaft.  It  is  to 
be  noted,  that  only  the  word  Hubbard  in  the  fol- 
lowing quotations  refers  to  that  tnllory,  in  dif- 
tinction  from  another  valuable  collection,  of  which 
take  the  following  account.  Mr.  Sanuiel  Hub- 
bard came  over  to  Salem  in  1633,  in  his  youth  ; 
joined  to  Watertown  church  in  1635  ;  but  went 
the  fame  year  up  to  Windfor,  where  he  foon 
married  a  church-member  that  removed  from 
Dorchefter,  and  they  fettled  atWeathcrsfield  ;  till 
in  May  1639  they  removed  to  Springfield,  and  he 
was  one  of  the  five  men  who  iirii  joined  in  found- 
inp'that  church.  It  was  conftituted  under  Con- 
necticut  government,  but  falling  afterward  into 
the  Mali'achufetts,  he  removed  in  i  647  to  Fair- 
field. Though  he  fays,  "  God  having  enlighten- 
ed both,  but  moftly  my  wife,  into  his  holy  ordi- 
nance of  baptizing  only  viiible  believers  ;  and  be- 
ing zealous  for  it,  (he  was  moiUy  flruck  at,  and 
anfwcrcd  twice, publicly,  where  1  was  alio  laid  to 
be  as  bad  as  Cje,  and  threatened  with,  impriio.n- 

ment 


P    H    E    F    A    C    £.     . 

mcnt  to  Hartford  goal,  if  we  did  not  renounce  it 
or  remove.  Tiiat  icripture  came  into  our  minds, 
if  they  perfecutcyou  in  one  place,  flee  to  another.*' 
Whereupon  they  removed  to  Newport,  andjoiri- 
cd  to  elder  Clarke's  church  there  on  Nov.  3.  164^, 
where  they  lived  to  old  age  ;  from  whence  he  re- 
peatedly vifited  his  fufiering  brethren  at  Boilon, 
and  had  an  exteniivc  correipondance  both  in 
Europe  and  America  j  and  he  copied  Icveral 
hundred  of  his  own  and  others  letters  into  a  book, 
which  I  am  now  favoured  with ;  containing.* 
fund  of  intelligence,  from  1641  to  1688.  Ihe 
writings  and  papers  alfo  of  our  ciders,  Holmesi, 
Comer,  Callander  and  others  have  been  ufeful  ia 
this^.delign.  i  hough,  for  want  of  room  1  have 
been  forced  to  leave  a  great  many  valuable  arti- 
cles out  of  this  volume,  and  to  give  but  a  iketcli 
of  things  in  latter  times.  However  I  propofe  by 
divine  leave  to  preferve  and  digcft  them  in  the 
beil  manner  1  can,  for  the  ufe  of  thefe  who  may 
come  after  us  ;  and  fhould  be  glad  to  obtain  ac- 
counts of  the  rife,  progrefs  and  prefent  itate  o£ 
all  our  churches,  for  the  fame  end. 

Im  the  foilawing  work,  Flymouth  RegiRer  in« 
tends  an  account  of  their  church  from  its  beginlng, 
wrote  by  our  county  regifler,  and  annexed  to  Mr, 
R  ■)bbin''s  ordination  fermon  1760.  Thehiftoryof 
Providence  means  what  was  publifiied  of  that  na- 
ture in  their  Gazette  in  1765.  Perhaps  the  red  of 
my  authorities  are  fuiliciencly  defcribed.  So  great 
a  part  of  this  hillory  is  given  in  the  words  of  otiiers, 
that  continued  marks  of  quotation  would  have  beeii 
tedious  ;  therefore  many  paffages  only  begin  and 
end  therewith.  In'  the  excellent  letter  you  have  ul 
P'^G^  390 — 3955  I  jhave  marked  the  words  which 
were  neceflarily  fupplied  to  compleat  the  fenfe;  but 
though  1  have  as  ilricUy  kept  to  the  true  fenfe  in 


P    Pv   E    F     A     C    E. 

ill  my  quotations  as  in  that,  yet  I  have  not  thought 
It  necellary  to  continue  fuch  marks  in  all.  In  the 
dates ^  v/here  our  fathers  began  thcyearvvithMarcn, 
i  have  cither  plainly  noted  it,  or  elfe  have  begun 
the  year  with  January,  only  have  let  the  old  Itiie 
fl:and,till  it  was  altered  here  by  law.  Of  the  ?nonies, 
Mr.  Prince  fays  they  reckoned  tvcre  fterl.  till  16401 
in  1652  when  they  fn-ft  toincd  filver  here  il.  of 
it  was  15s.  fterl.  and  fo  it  continued  to  J690,  when 
they  began  to  make  paper  moncy,w;hich  gradually 
depreciated  from  6s.  to  45s  for  a  Spanilli  miiitd 
dollar.  In  j  750  oiir  currancy  was  brought  back 
to  what  it  w?.s  a  hundred  years  before,  and  that 
is  our  lavvful  money  ever  iince.  A  daili — in  g; 
(quotation  figniiies  the  omifiion  of  fomthing  tkcre 
for  bervitics  fake  ;  i3ctvvixt  figures,  it  is  to  extend 
the  reference  irom  one  number  to  the  other. 

Whoever  conliders  the  diiliculty  of  compilinp» 
fuch  a  v/ork  with  cxacfnefk,  together  with  the  con- 
fufion  of  the  prefent  times,  and  the  authors  dif- 
tance  from  tile  prefs,  wjll  not  be  fevcre  upon  hini 
for  every  imperfection  they  may  difcovcr  therein  ; 
tho'  he  has  named  liis  principle  vouchers,  on  pu^i- 
pofe  to  have  his  performance  thoroughly  ex- 
amined, and  every  material  rnilfak^  corrected j 
Sincerity  and  impartiallity  are  allowed  to  be  the 
teoft  elfential  rules  of  hlilory  :  how  far  they  ap- 
pear in  this  the  reader  v/ill  judge.  Only  the  aii- 
thcr  muft  fay,  that  he  has  acred  under  2  fiill  be- 
lief, that  wkii  \t'hat  meafurc  we  mete,  it  fhall  he 
meafured  to  us  again  ;  fo  that  we  cannot  injure 
others  in  any  cafe,  without  therein  v/ronging  our 
own  fouls.  And  to  imprefs  this  great  truth  upon 
tvery  mind,  is  the  aim  and  earneft  defire  of  theij: 

humble  fervant, 

,,.;,,,         ,  ISAAC    BACKUP, 


H    1    s    x/^o^We^-     '" 

fttc.  APBiaa, 

NEW-EN  (^S^^^a^' 

With  particular  Reference  to  the.  Peo- 
ple called  Baptifts, 

CHAP.     I. 

The  SentuTients  and  Character  of  the 
firft  Planters  of  this  Country,  with 
their  Proceedings  down  to  the  Year 
1634. 

^O  obtain  clear  and  jnft  ideas  of  the  affairs 
of  the  Baptifts  in  New-England,  it  feems 
neceflary  for  us  to  look  back  to  its  firft 
fettlement,  and  carefully  to  examine 
what  were  the  fentiments  and  charafter  of  the  origi- 
nal planters.  Thofe  that  began  the  firft  colony 
were  called  Separatifts,  becaufe  of  their  withdraw, 
from  the  national  church  of  England ;  and  diff'er- 
ent  parties  have  accufed  them  with  rigidnefs  there- 
in ;  but  ingenuous  minds  will  not  choole  to  be  turned 
off  with  hard  names,  without  knowing  what  is  meanc 
by  theniy  therefore  let  us  hear  thofe  fathejs  tell  their 

B  own 


2       HISTORf  OF   THE   BAPTISTS 

own  ftory.  They  feparated  from  the  national 
church  near  the  beginning  of  the  laft  century,  and 
formed  focieties  for  worlliip  by  themfelves  -,  til!, 
after  fuffering  much  from  the  ruling  party  in  their 
native  country,  they  left  ic,  and  fojourned  about 
twelve  years  in  Holland,  and  then  removed  to  this 
hnd. 

About  the  time  of  their  fleeing  into  Holland,  Mr. 
llichard  Bernard,  an  Epifcopal  miniftcr  in  Notting- 
hamfliire,  out  of  which  many  of  thofe  fathers  re- 
moved, publifhed  a  book   againft   them,  which  he 
called  The  S.'-paratifi's  Schifm,  unto  which  jMr.  John 
Robinlbn,  the  paftor  of  the  church  which  afterward 
began  the  fettlement  of  New-England,  publifhed 
an  anfwer  in  i6ro,  intituled,  A  Jujlification  of  Se- 
paration from  the  Church  of  England.  _  As  1  am  fa- 
voured with  this  performance,  containing  476  pages 
in  quarto,  1  fhall  from  thence  give  the  reader   his 
own  words  upon  the   mod  material  points  of  their 
controverfy,    and  the  rather,  becaufe  the  writings  of 
that  eminent  father  of  our  country  are  very  little 
known  at  this  day  among  us. 

Mr.  Bernard  began  his  book  with  fome  things 
which  he  called  Chriflian  Counfels  of  Peace,  to 
which  Mr.  Robinfon  anfwers,  that,  "  As  God  is 
the  God  of  peace,  fo  are  not  they  God's  children 
which  defirc  it  not  j  yea,  even  in  the  midft  of  their 
contentions.  But  as  all  vices  ufe  to  cloath  thern- 
felves  wiih  the  habits  of  virtues,  that  under  their  li- 
veries they  may  get  countenance,  and  find  the  more 
free  paffage  in  the  world,  fo  efpecially  in  the  church 
all  tyranny  and  confufion  do  prefent  themfelves  un- 
der this  colour,  taking  up  the  politic  pretenceof 
peace,  as  a  weapon  of  mere  advantage,  wherewith 
the  ftronger  and  greater  party  ufeth  to  beat  the 
weaker.     The  Fapifts  prefs  the  Proteftants  with  the 

peace 


[i6io0        IN    NEW-ENGLAND.        3 

peace  of  the  church,  and  for  the  rent  they  have 
made  in  it,  condemn  them  beyond  the  hearhenifh 
foldiers,  which  forbore  to  divide  Chrill's  garments; 
as  deeply  do  the  bifliops  charge. the  minifters  refuf- 
ing  conformity  andfubfcription*,  and  both  of  them 
us.  But  the  godly  wife  mufl  not  be  affrighted  either 
from  feeking  or  embracing  the  truth  with  fuch  bugs 
as  thefe  are,  but  feeing  the  wijdom  which  is  from 
above  J  is  firjl  piire^  then  peaceable^  he  mud  make  it  a 
great  part  of  his  Chriftian  wifdom  to  difcern  be- 
twixt godly  and  gracious  peace,  and  that  which  is 
cither  pretended  for  advantage,  or  miftaken  by  er- 
ror, and  fo  labour  to  hold  peace  in  purity.  Let 
it  then  be  manifefted  unto  us,  that  the  communion 
which  the  church  of  England  hath  with  all  the  wick- 
ed in  the  land,  without  leparation,  is  a  pure  com- 
munion -,  that  their  fervice  book,  devifed  and  pre- 
fcribed  in  fo  many  words  and  letters,  to  be  read 
over  and  over  with  all  the  appurtenances,  is  a  pure 
worfhip  ;  that  their  government  by  national  provin- 
cial and  diocefan  bifliops,  according  to  their  canons, 
is  a  pure  government,  and  then  let  us  be  blamed  if 
we  hold  not  peace  with  them  in  word  and  deed ; 
otherwife,  though  they  fpeak  unto  us  never 
fo  oft,  both  by  mefTengers  and  mouth  of  peace, 
and  again  of  peace,  as  Jehoram  did  to  Jehu, 
yet  mud  we  anfvver  them  in  effed  as  Jehu  did 
Jehoram,  what  peace,  whilil  the  whoredoms  of 
the  mother  of  fornications,  the  Jezebel  of  Rome,  do 
remain  in  fo  great  number  amongft  them  ?  And  I 
doubt  not  but  Mr.  Bernard,  and  a  thoufand  more 
minifters  in  the  land  (were  they  fecure  of  the  ma- 
giftrate's  fword,  and  might  they  go  on  with  good 

B  2  licence) 

*  The  main  of  thofe  who  afterward  fettled  the  Maflachufett* 
colony  were  of  this  fort ;  they  refufed  full  conformity  to  the  na- 
tional church,  and  yet  condemned  an  entire  feparation  from  it,. 


,V       HISTORY  OF   THE   BAPTIST'S 

licence)  would  wholly  fhake  off  their  canonical  obe- 
dience to  their  ordinances,  and  negled  their  cita- 
tions and  cenfures,  and  refufe  to  fue  in  their  courts, 
for  all  the  peace  df  the  church  which  they  com- 
mend to  us  for  fo  facred  a  thing.  Could  they  but 
obtain  licence  from  the  magiftrate  to  ufe  the  liber- 
ties which  they  are  perfuaded  Chrift  hath  given 
them,  they  would  foon  fhake  off  the  prelates  yoke, 
and  draw  no  longer  under  the  fame  in  fpiritual 
communion  with  all  the  prophane  in  the  land,  buc 
would  break  thofe  bonds  of  iniquity,  as  eafily  as 
"Sampfon  did  the  cords  wherewith  Dalilah  tyed  him, 
and  give  good  reafons  alfo  from  the  word  of  God  for 
their  fo  doing."  p.  13,  14. 

Whoever  reads  and  well  obferves  the  liiflory  of 
the  Maffachufetts  colony,  I  believe,  will  find  that 
thofe  remarks  were  neither  enthufiaflical  nor  cen- 
forious,  but  that  they  difcover  great  knowledge,  and 
a  good  judgment  both  inhuman  and  djvine  con- 
cernments. Mr.  Robinfon  proceeds  and  fays, 
.*'  Thefe  things  I  thought  good  to  commend  to  the 
reader,  that  he  may  be  the  more  cautious  of  this  and 
the  like  colourable  pretences,  wifhing  him  alfo  well 
to  remember,  that  peace  in  difobcdience  is  that  old 
theme  of  the  falfe  propkets,  whereby  they  flattered 
'the  mighty,  and  deceived  the  fimple,  Jer!  vi.  14, 
and  viii.  1 1. — In  the  church  of  England  we  do  ac- 
knowledge many  excellent  truths  of  doftrine,  which 
wc  alfo  teach  without  commixture  of  error,  many 
chriftian  ordinances  which  we  alfo  pra6lifed  being 
purged  from  the  pollution  of  antichrift,  and  for  the 
godly  perfons  in  it  (could  we  pofllbly  feparate  them 
from  the  prophane)  we  would  gladly  embrace  them 
with  both  arms ;  but  being  taught  by  the  apollle, 
fpeaking  but  of  one  wicked  perfon,  and  of  one 
'Jewifli  ordinance,  that  a  Utile  leaven  leaveneth  the 

•oihols- 


[i6i6.]        IN    NEW-ENt5LAND.        5 

'uohole  lump  J  i  Cor.  v.  6,  Gal.  v.  2 — 9,  we  cannot 
be  ignorant  how  four  the  Englifh  aflemblies  mlifl: 
needs  be  :  Neither  may  we  juftly  be  blamed  though 
we  dare  not  dip  in  their  meal,  left  we  be  foured 
by  their  leaven."  p.  15,  16.  And  to  Mr.  B.  who 
counfcls  that  wefhould  bear  with  lighter  faults  for  a 
iime,  till  Jit  occafion  he  offered  to  have  them  amended^ 
he  replies,  "  i.  No  fin  is  light  in  itfelf,  but  being 
continued  in  and  countenanced,  deftroyeth  the  fin- 
ner.  Matt.  v.  19.  2.  It  is  the  property  of  a  pro- 
phane  and  hardened  heart  evermore  to  extenuate  and 
leflen  fins.  3.  Though  the  bearing  and  forbearing, 
not  only  of  fmall  but  even  of  great  fins  alfo,  muft 
be  for  a  time,  yet  it  muft  be  but  for  a  time,  and 
that  is  whilft  reformation  be  orderly  fought  and  pro- 
cured. Lev.  xix.  17.  But  what  time  hath  wrought 
in  the  church  of  England,  all  men  fee  growing 
daily,  by  the  juil  judgment  of  God,  from  evil  to 
worfe,  and  being  never  aforetime  fo  impatient  either 
©f  reformation  or  other  good  as  at  this  day.  4.  A 
man  muft  fo  bear  evil,  as  he  be  no  v/ay  acceffory 
unto  it,  by  forbearing  any  means  appointed  by 
Chriftfor  the  amending  it."  p.  16. 

"  I  SEE  not  upon  what  occafion  the  author  fhould 
fliuffle  into  this  controverfy,  which  is  merely  eccle- 
fiaftical,  fuch  confiderations  as  he  doth  concerning 
tiie  frame  and  alteration  of  civil  Jlates,  except  he 
would  either  infinuate  againft  us,  that  we  went 
about  to  alter  the  civil  fi:ate  of  the  kingdom  ;  or,  at 
leaft,  that  the  alteration  of  the  ftate  ecclefiaftical, 
muft  needs  draw  with  it  the  alteration  of  the  civil 
ftate  •,  with  which  note  the  prelates  have  a  long 
time  bleared  the  eyes  of  the  magiftrates,  but  how 
deceitfully,  hath  been  fufficientiy  manifefied,  ihd 
ofier  made  further  to  manifcft  the  fame  by  folemn 
difputation.     And  the  truth  is,  that  all  ftates  and 

policies 


6      HISTORY   OF    THE   BAPTISTS 

policies  which  are  of  God,  whether  monarchical, 
ariftocratical  or  democratical,  or  how  mixed  foever, 
are  capable  of  ChrilVs  government.  Neither  doth 
the  nature  of  the  ftate,  but  the  corruption  of  the 
pcrfons,  hinder  the  fame  in  one  or  other, — And 
where  Mr.  Bernard  further  advifeth,  rather  to  offend 
many  private  perfons  than  one  lawful  magiltrate,  I ' 
doubt  not  he  gives  no  worfe  counfel  than  he  himfelf 
follows,  who  (except  I  be  much  deceived  in  him) 
had  rather  offend  half  the  private  perfons  in  the  dio- 
cefe,  than  one  archbifhop,  though  he  be  an  unlaw- 
ful magiftrate.  But  let  us  remember  our  care  be 
not  to  offend  the  Lord,  and  if  with  the  offence  of  a 
private  perfon,  though  never  fo  bafe,  be  joined  tht 
offence  of  the  Lord,  better  offend  all,  both  lawful 
and  unlawful  magiftrates,  in  the  world,  than  fuch 
a  link  one^  Matt,  xviii.  6."  p.  17,  18. 

Another  piece  of  counfel  given  by  Mr.  B.  is, 
Ufe  the  prefent  good  which  thou  mayeji  enjoy  to  the  ut- 
ftioji  ;  and  an  experienced  good^  before  thou  doji  trouble 
thyfelf  to  feek  for  a  fuppofed  better  good^  untried^ 
'which  thou  evjoyeji  not.  To  this  Mr.  R.  fays,  "  Wc 
may  not  Hint  or  circumfcribe  either  our  knowledge, 
faith,  or  obedience,  within  flraiter  bounds  than  the 
whole  revealed  will  of  God,  in  the  knowledge  and 
obedience  whereof  we  muft  daily  inereafe  and  edify 
ourfelves ;  much  lefs  muft  we  fuffer  ourfelves  to  be 
Itripped  of  any  liberty  which  Chrift  our  lord  hath 
purchafed  for  us,  and  given  us  to  ufe  for  our  good. 
Gal,  V.  I.  A-"d  h^re,  as  I  take  it,  comes  in  the 
cafe  of  many  hundreds  in  the  church  of  England, 
who  what  good  they  may  enjoy  (that  is  fafely  enjoy, 
or  without  any  great  bodily  danger)  that  they  ufe 
very  fully.  Where  the  ways  of  Chrift  lie  open  for 
them,  by  the  authority  of  men,  and  where. tbey 
may  v/Alk  fafely  with  good  leave,  there  they  walk 

very 


[i6io0        iM    NEW-ENGLAND.        7 

very  uprightly,  and  that  a  round  pace  •,  but  when 
the  commandments  of  Chrift  are  as  it  were  hedged 
vip  with  thorns,  by  mens  prohibitions,  there  they 
foully  fiep  af:de,  and  pitch  their  tents  by  the  flocks 
ef  his  fellows^  Cant.  i.  6."  p.  23.  Again  Mr. 
B.  fays,  Never  prefiime  to  reform  others ,  before 
thou  haji  well  ordered  thyfelf.  To  v/hich  Mr.  Robin- 
fon  anfwers,  "  True  zeal  it  is  certain  ever  begins  ac 
home,  and  gives  more  liberty  unto  other  men  than 
it  dares  affjme  unto  itfelf ;  and  there  is  nothing  more 
true,  and  neceflary  to  be  confidercd,  than  that  every 
man  ovsght  to  order  himfelf  in  his  own  fleps  firft. 
That  is  good  and  the  beft,  but  not  all  •,  for  if  by 
God's  commandment  we  ought  to  bring  back  our 
tnemrfs  ox  or  afs  that  ftrayeth,  how  much  more  to 
bring  into  order  our  brother's  foul  and  body,  wan- 
dering in  by-paths  ?"  p.  24. 

Mr.  Bernard  went  on  to  lay  down  a  number  of 
things,  which  he  fuppofed  would  render  it  very 
unlikely  that  a  feparation  from  them  could  be  right, 
before  he  came  to  the  merits  of  the  caufe ;  as  i. 
^he  novelty  thereof  differing  from  all  the  befi  reformed 
churches  in  Chrijlendom.  To  which  Mr.  Robinfon 
replies,  "  It  is  no  novelty  to  hear  men  plead  cuftom, 
when  they  want  truth.  So  the  heathen  philofopher 
reproached  Paul  as  a  bringer  of  new  do^lrine,  Adc. 
xvii.  19.  So  do  the  Papifts  difcountenance  the  doc- 
trine and  profeflion  of  the  church  of  England  -,  yea 
even  at  this  day,  very  many  of  the  people  in  the 
land  call  Popery  the  old  law,  and  the  profeilion 
there  made  the  new  law.  But  for  our  parts,  as  we 
believe,  by  tlie  word  of  God,  that  the  things  we 
teach  are  not  new,  but  old  truths  renewed ;  fo  arc 
we  no  lefs  perfuaded,  that  the  church  conftitution, 
in  which  we  arc  fet,  is  call  in  the  apoftolical  and 
primitive  mould,  and  not  one  day  nor  hour  younger, 

ia 


§      HISTORY  OF   THE    BAPTISTS 

in  the  nature  and  form  of  it,  than  the  firft  church 
of  the  new  teftament."  p.  40.  2.  For  that  it  agree- 
eth  fo  much  zvith  the  ancient  Schifmatics,  condemned  in 
former  ages  by  holy  and  karnedmen,  Anfwer,  *'  Caa 
our  way  both  be  a  novelty,  and  yet  agree  fo  well 
with  ancient  Schifmatics  ?  Contraries  cannot  be 
both  true,  but  may  both  be  falfe,  as  thefe  are."  p.  42. 
Mr.  Robinfon  tells  us,  that  another  article  which 
Mr.  B.  alledged  agiinfl:  them  is,  ^hat  we  have  not  the 
approbation  of  any  of  the  reformed  churches  for  our 
cpurfe.  Anfwer,  "  This  is  the  fame  in  fubftance 
with  the  iirft,  and  that  which  followcth  in  the  next 
place  the  fame  with  them  both  ;  and  Mr.  B.  by  fo 
ordinarily  prefling  us  with  human  teftimonies,  fhews 
himfelf  to  be  very  barren  of  divine  authority. 
Nature  teacheth  every  creature,  in  all  danger,  to 
fly  firft  and  ofteneft  to  the  chief  inftruments  either 
of  offence  or  defence,  wherein  it  trufteth,  as  the 
bull  to  his  horn,  the  boar  to  his  tufk,  and  the  bird 
unto  her  wing  \  right  fo  this  man  lhe.ws  wherein  his 
llrength  lies,  and  wherein  he  trufts  moft,  by  fo  fre- 
quent and  ufual  (haking  the  horn,  and  whetting  the 
tull<:,  of  mortal  man's  authority  againft  us.  But  for 
the  reformed  churches  the  truth  is,  they  neither  do 
imagine,  nor  will  eafily  be  brought  to  believe,  that 
the  frame  of  the  church  of  England  ftands  as  it 
doth.  The  approbation  which  they  give,  is  in  re- 
fpeft  of  fuch  general  truths  of  doftrine,  as  wherein 
we  alfo,  for  the  moft  part,  acknowledge  you  j  which 
notwithftanding  you  deny  in  a  great  rneafurc  in  the 
particulars  and  practice.  But  touching  the  ga- 
thering and  governing  of  the  church,  which  are 
the  main  heads  controverted  betwixt  you  and 
us  ;  thejr  give  you  not  fo  much  as  the  left 
hand  of  fellov/Ihip,  but  do,  on  the  contrary,  turn 

their 


[i6io,]       m    NEW-iENGLAND.         ^ 

their  backs  upon  you."  p.  46,  47*,  Thus  much 
of"  the  learned  abroad  j  in  the  next  place  Mr.  Ber- 
nard draws  us  to  the  learned  at  home,  from  whofe 
diilike  of  us  he  takes  his  fifth  likelihood,  which  he 
thus  frameth  :  'The  condemnation  of  this  way  by  our 
divineSi  both  living  and  dead^  againft  v&hom^  either  for 
\^odlinefs  of  life  or  truth  of  do£lrine^  otherwije  than 
for  being  their  cppofitesy  they  can  take  no  exception''', 
To  which  Mr.  Robinfon  anfwers,  *'  No  marvel : 
We  may  not  admiuof  parties  forjudges :  How  is  it 
poflible  we  Ihould  be  approved  of  them  in  the 
things  wherein  we  witnels  againft  them  ?  And  if 
this  argument  be  good  and  likely,  then  is  it  likely 
that  neither  the  Rcformifts  have  the  truth  in  the 
church  of  England,  nor  the  prelates  -,  for  there  are 
many  of  thofe  both  godly  and   learned,  which  in 

*  **  The  ways  of  the  church  of  England,  wherein  we  forfake 
lier,  do  diredlly  and  ex  Siametro  crofs  and  thwart  the  ways  of  the 
reformed  churches,  in  thefe  three  main  heads  : 

**  I.  The  reformed  churches  aregathered  of  a  free  people^  join- 
ed together  Ijy  voluntary  profeffion,  without cbmpulfieh  ef  humaA 
laws.  On  the  contrary,  the  church  of  England  confills  of  a 
people  forced  together  violently  by  the  laws  of  rtfien  into  their 
provincial,  diocefan  aiid  pariftiisnal  churches  (as  their  houfcs 
Hand)  be  they  never  fo  unwilling  or  unfit. 

*'  2.  The  reformed  churches  do  renounce  the  EBiniftry  of  the 
church  of  England,  as  fhe  doth  theirs  ;  not  admitting  of  any 
by  virtue  of  it  to  charge  of  foals,  as  they  fpeak,  where,  on  the 
contrary,  all  the  niafs-priefts  made  in  Queen  Mary's  days, 
which  would  fay  their  book-fervice  in  Englifh,  were  contihued 
minifters  by  the  fame  drdination  which  they  received  from  Po- 
pijh  prelates. 

"■  3.  The  goviernment  by  Archbilhops,  Lord  Bifliops  atid 
their  fubftituteis,  in  the  church' of  England,  is  abhorred  and  dif- 
claimed  in  the  reformed  churches  as  antichriftijin  ;  as  is,  on  the 
contrary,  the  Pre/byterian  government,  in  ufe  there,  by  the 
church  of  England  refufed,  Vi.s  Jnabaptijiical  and  feditious."  p.  52. 

Here  v/e  may  fee  how  the  very  name  of  Atiabaptift  was  ui-d  as 
a  weapon  to  fight  againft  reformation  in  Mr.  Robinfon's  day, 
anu  the  pradtic?  is  ftill  followed  by  many, 

C  their 


lo    HISTORY    OF    THE   BAPTISTS 

their  differences  do  oppofe,  and  that  very  vehe-» 
mently,  the  one  the  other.  Now,  as  for  my  own- 
part,  I  do  willingly  acknowledge  the  learning  and 
godlinefs  of  moft  of  the  perlbns  named  by  Mr.  B. 
and  honor  the  memory  of  fome  of  them  ;  lo  neither 
do  I  think  them  fo  learned,  but  they  might  err, 
nor  fo  godly,  but  in  their  error  they  might  rcr 
proach  the  truth  they  faw  not.  I  do  confefs  to  the 
glory  of  God,  and  mine  own  Iliame,  that  a  long 
lime  before  I  entered  this  way,  I  took  fome  tafte 
of  the  truth  in  it  by  fome  treatifes  publifhed  in 
]uftiiication  of  it,  which  were  fweet  as  honey  unto 
my  mouth  ;  and  the  principal  thing  which  for  the 
time  quenched  all  further  appetite  in  me,  was  the 
over-valuation  which  I  made  of  the  learning  and 
holinefs  of  thefe  and  the  like  perfons,  bluihing  in 
myfeif  to  have  a  thought  of  prel^mg  one  hair- 
breadth before  them  in  this  thing,  behind  whomi  I 
knew  myfeif  to  come  fo  many  miles  in  all  other 
things-,  yea  and  even  of  late  times,  when  I  had 
entered  into  a  more  ferious  confideration  of  theie 
things,  and,  according  to  the  meafure  of  grace  re- 
ceived, fearched  the  Icriptures,  whether  they  were 
fo  or  no,  and  by  fcarching  found  much  light  and 
truth,  yet  was  the  fame  lo  dimmed  and  overcloud- 
ed with  the  contradi(Siions  of  thefe  men,  and  others 
of  the  like  note,  that  had  not  the  truth  been  in  my 
heart  as  a  burning  fire  fhut  up  in  my  bones,  Jer. 
XX.  9,  I  had  never  broken  thole  bonds  of  flefh  and 
blood,  but  had  fulTcred  the  light  of  God  to  have 
been  put  out  in  my  unthankful  heart,  by  other 
mens  darknefs. 

"  Every  man  (lands  bound  to  give  this  re- 
ve^ynce  to  the  graces  of  God  in  other  men,  that  in 
his  differences  with  them  he  be  not  fuddenly  nor 
cafily  perfuadcd,  but  that  being  jealous  of  his  own 

heartj 


[i5io.]       IN    NEW-ENGLAND.       ix 

heart,  he  undertake  the  examination  of  things,  and 
fo  proceed  with  fear  and  trembling,  and  having 
tried  all  things,  keep  that  which  is  good,  i  Thef* 
V.  21  i  fo  fliall  he  neither  wrong  the  graces  of  God 
in  himfelf,  nor  in  others.  But  on  the  other  fide, 
for  a  man  fo  far  to  fuffer  his  thoughts  to  be  con- 
jured into  the  circle  of  any  man  or  mens  judgment, 
as  either  to  fear  to  try  what  is  offered  to  the  contra- 
ry, in  the  balance  of  the  fanduary,  or  finding  it 
to  bear  weight,  to  fear  to  give  fentence  on  the 
Lord's  fide,  yea  though  it  be  againft  the  mighty, 
this  is  to  honor  men  above  God,  and  to  advance  a 
throne  above  the  throne  of  Chrift,  who  is  Lord 
and  King  for  ever.  And  to  fpeak  that  in  this  cafe, 
which  by  doleful  experience  I  myfelf  have  found, 
many  of  the  mod  forward  profefTors  in  the  kingdom 
are  well  nigh  as  fuperftitioufly  addicted  to  the  deter- 
minations of  their  guides  and  teachers,  as  the  ig- 
norant Papifts  unto  theirs  ;  accounting  it  not  only 
needlefs  curiofity,  but  even  intolerable  arrogancy, 
to  call  in  queftion  the  things  received  from  them 
by  tradition.  But  how  much  better,  were  it  for  all 
men  to  lay  afide  thefe  and  the  like  prejudices,  that 
fo  they  might  underftand  the  things  which  concern 
their  peace,  and  feeing  with  their  own  eyes,  mighc 
live  by  their  own  faith  ^ 

"  And  for  thefe  famous  men  named  by  Mr.  B.' 
(with  whofe  oppofitions,  as  with  Zedekiah's  horns  of 
iron,  he  would  pufh  us  here  and  every  where)  as 
we  bear  their  reproofs  with  patience,  and  acknow- 
ledge their  worrh  without  envy  or  detra(5lion,  fo 
do  we  know  they  were  but  men,  and  through  hu- 
man frailty  might  be  abufed  as  well,  or  rather  as  ill, 
to  fupport  antichriil  in  a  meafure,  as  others  before 
them  have  been,  though  godly  and  learned  as  they^ 
I;  will  not  be  denied  but  the  fathers,  as  they  are 

C  2  called. 


'%i     HISTORY   OF    THE   BAPTiSTa 

called,  Ignatius,  Irenseus,  Tertullian,  Cyprian^ 
Ambrofe,  Jcrom,  Auftin,  and  the  reft,  were  both 
godly  and  learned,  yet  no  man,  if  he  have  but  even 
faluted  them,  can  be  ignorant  what  way,  though 
unwittingly,  they  made  for  the  advancement  of  an^ 
tichrift  which  followed  after  them,  and  if  they,  not- 
withftanding  their  learning  and  godlinefs,  thus 
ufhered  hini~  into  the  world,  why  might  not 
others,  and  that  more  likely,  though  learned  and 
,  godly  as  the  former,  help  to  bear  up  his  train  ? 
Efpecially  confidering  rhat  as  his  rifmg  was  not,  fo 
neither  could  his  fall  be  perfcdted  at  once.  And 
for  us,  what  do  we  more  or  otherwife,  for  the  moft 
part,  than  walk  in  thofe  ways  into  which  divers  of 
the  perfons  by  Mr.'B.  named  have  direfled  us  by 
the  word  of  God,  in  manifefting  tinto  us  by  the 
light  thereof  what  the  miniftry,  government,  vvor- 
Jliip,  and  fellowfhip  of  the  gofpel  ought  to  be  *  ? 
j^Ve  then  being  taught,  and  believing  that  the  word 

of 

*  For  proof  of  this,  Mr.  Robinfon,  in  another  place,  cites  a 
ijumber  of  pafTages  written  ;  he  fays,  **  By  fuch  men  as  I  dare 
fay  Mr.  B.  reckons  amongft  the  painful  and  confcionable  mini- 
jfters  :    Their  words  are  thefe  : 

'^  The  names  and  eifiees  ©f  Archbifliops,  Archdeacons,  Lord 
ifeifliops,  &c.  are,  together  with  their  gevernment,  drawn  out 
of  the  Pope's  {hop,  antichriftian,  and  contrary  to  the  fcriptures. 
Parfons,  vicars,  parinj-priefts,  ftipendiaries,  &e.  be  birds  of  the 
iame  feather."  zd  Admo.  to  the  Parliament.  "  There  is  no 
true  vifible  church  of  Chrift,  but  a  particular  congregation  only.'* 
<QhriJiian  Offer,  prop,  4. 

"  Every  true  viable  churck  ©f  Chrift,  er  ordinary  aflembly 
of  the  faithful,  hath,  by  Chrill's  ordinance,  power  in  itfelf  im- 
Joiediately  under  Chrift  to  eleft,  to  ordain,  deprive  and  depofe 
their  minifters,  and  to  execute  all  other  ecclefiaftical  cenfures." 
Ihid,  prop,  <^>  *'  The  vilible  church  of  Chrift,  vvherefoever  it 
be,  hath  the  p»wer  of  binding  and  looftng  annexed  unto  it,  as 
pui-  faviour  Chrift  teacheth,  Matt.  18."  Difcowry  of  Dr,  Ban- 
troji^s  Slander f,  *'  AmongR  us  the  holy  myftcries  of  God  are, 
'  prophancd^ 


[i6id.]      IN   NEW-ENGLAND.         13 

of  God  is  a  light  and  lanthorn,  not  only  to  our 
(yes^  but  to  our  feci  and  paths^  as  the  Plalmift 
fpeaketh,  Plal.  cxix.  105,  cannot  poflibly  con- 
ceive how  we  lliould  juftly  be  blamed  by  thelc  men 
for  obferving  the  ordinances  which  themfelves  not 
only  acknowledged,  but  contended  for,  as  appoint- 
ed by  Chrift:  to  be  kept  inviolable  till  his  appear- 
ing, as  fome  of  them  have  exprcfly  teftified. 

"  To  conclude,  let  not  the  chriftian  reader  caft 
our  perfons,  and  the  perfons  of  our  oppofites,  whe- 
ther thefe  or  others,  in  the  balance  together ;  but 
rather  our  caule  and  reafons,  with  their  oppofitions 
and  the  grounds  of  them,  and  fo  with  fteady  hand, 
and  impartial  eye,  poize  caufe  with  caufe,  that  fa 
the  truth  of  God  may  not  be  prejudiced  by  mens 
ferfons^    nor  held  in  r^JpeEi  of  them."     p.  48 — 58. 

By  thefe  free  and  plain  declarations  the  reader 
may  be  able  to  judge,  whether  the  reproach  of 
rigidnefs  properly  belongs  to  Mr.  Robinlon,  or  to 
his  accufers  and  perfecutors  •,  .yet  becaufe  he  would 
not  ilay  in  the  church  of  England,  when  he  was 
convinced  of  its  being  wrong  fo  to  do,  Mr.  Bernard 
accufes  him  and  his  brethren  of  either  denyiiig  their 
converfion  xh^vty  orelfe  of  accounting  it  a/s^  one. 
To  which  Mr.  R.  anfwers,  *'  For  ourperfonal  con- 
verfion  in  the  church  of  England,  we  deny  it  not, 
but  do,  and  always  have  done,  judge  and  profefs  it 
true  there;  and  fo  was  Luther's  converfion  true  in 
the  church  of  Rome,  elfe  could  not  his  feparation 

fro  m 

prophaned,  tke  Gentiles  enter  into  the  t:mp'e  of  God,  the  holy 
things  are  indifferently  communicated  with  the  clean  and  un- 
clean."    Plain  Declaration. 

*'  Now,  fays  Mr.  Robinfon,  let  the  reader  judge  whether 
thefe  men  in  thus  writing  have  not  opeHcd  the  dcor  untO  us,  by 
Y.-lucli  themfelves  eir.crno!;."  p.  75,  76. 


14     HISTORY  OF    THE    BAPTISTS 

from  Rome  have  been  of  faith,    or  accepted  of 
God."     p.  6g. 

And  now  for  particuhr  fcntiments  about  church 
affairs  •,  Mr.  Robinfon's  opponent  had  faid,  The 
word  is  the  conjiitution  of  the  church.  To  which 
he  replies,  "  His  meaning  is  orfliould  be,  that  the 
word  is  the  ordinary  means  for  colledling  and  con- 
llituting  the  church  of  God.  1  grant  it:  But  how 
ponfidered  ?  Not  the  word  in  mens  bibles  alone, 
for  then  all  the  heretics  in  the  world  were  true 
churches  \  nor  yet  the  word  preached  fimply,  for 
Paul  preached  the  word  to  the  fcoffing  Athenians, 
and  to  the  blafphemous  Jews,  yet  I  think  he  will 
not  fay  that  either  the  one  or  the  other  were 
churches  truly  conilituted.  How  then  ?  The  word 
publifhed,  underftood,  believed  and  obeyed,  out- 
wardly at  the  leaft,  as  the  fpiritual  fword  or  axe, 
hewing  the  ftones  in  the  rock,  and  the  trees  in  the 
foreft,  and  preparin^^  them  to  be  the  Lord's  fpiritual 
houfe.  And  thus  much  the  .very  places  produced 
by  Mr.  B.  do  evidently  declare. 

"  Matt,  xxviii.  19,  which  is  thefirft  place,  fhews, 
that  fuch  as  by  preaching  of  the  word  were  made 
(lijcipks^  for  fo  much  the  word  im.porteth,  were  to 
be  gathered  into  the  church  and  baptized.  Mark 
xvi.  15,  fhews  the  fame,  efpecially  if  you  add  verfe 
16,  infering  that  men  by  preaching  muft  believe, 
^nd  fo  believe,  as  they  have  the  promifc  oi  fahation. 
2  Cor.  v.  19,  and  xi.  Z-,  prove  that  the  word  of 
reconciliation  and  miniftry  of  the  gofpel,  believed 
and  obeyed  to  the  forgivenefs  of  fms,  and  to  the 
preparation  and  fan(5lification  of  the  church  of  Chrift, 
is  the  means  of  gathering  and  building  up  the  fame, 
A(fls  ii.  14,  37,  38,  41,  and  xvi.  32 — 34,  are  of  the 
lame  nature,  and  do  prove  that  lundry  of  the  Jews 
at   Jerufalem,   by  Peter's  preaching,    and  that  the 

gaoler'^ 


[i6ib.]      IN    NEW -EN  GLAND.        15 

gaoler's  houlhold  at  Philippi,  by  Paul's  preaching, 
were  brought  to  repentance,  and  faith  in  Chritt, 
and  fo  added  to  the  church  ;  but  what  will  be  the 
eonclufion  of  all  thefe  premifes  ?  The  propofitiori 
is  this  :  "  The  true  apoftolic  churches  having  a  true 
conftitutlon,  were  gathered  and  conftituted  of  fuch 
men  and  women  as  by  the  preaching  of  the  gofpel 
were  made  difciples,  had  faith  and  repentance 
wrought  in  them,  to  the  obtaining  of  the  forgivcnefs 
of  fins,  and  promife  of  life  eternal,  and  to  fanflifica- 
tion  and  obedience."  p.  89,  90. 

Of  baptifm  Mr.  Robinfon  fays,  "  The  proper 
ends  and  ufes  of  baptifm  are  to  initiate  the  parties 
baptized  into  the  church  of  Chrift,  and  to  confe- 
crate  them  to  his  fervi-.  e,  and  fo  to  ferve  for  badges 
of  chriftianity,  by  which  it  is  diftinguifhed  from  all 
other  profeffions,  Matt,  xxviii.  19,  i  Cor.  xii.  13.'* 
p.  26.  "  The  facramcnt  of  baptifm  is  to  be  ad- 
miniftered  by  Chrift's  appointment,  and  the  apoftles 
example,  only  to  fuch  as  are,  externally,  and  fo  far 
as  men  can  judge,  taught  and  made  difciples  •,  do 
receive  the  word  gladly,  A(fts  ii.  41  ;  believe  and  fo 
profefs,  A6ts  viii.  have  received  the  holy  ghoft,  Ads 
X.  47,  and  to  their  feed.  Ads  ii.  39,  i  Cor.  vii.  14." 
p.  92.  "  Baptifm  adminiftered  to  any  others  is  fo 
far  from  invefling  them  with  any  faintfhip  in  that 
eftate,  that  it  makes  guilty  both  the  giver  and  receiver 
of  facrilcge,  and  is  the  taking  of  God's  name  in 
vain."     p.  1 10. 

Of  the  Lord^s [upper  he  fays,  "  The  apoftle  teach- 
cth,  I  Cor.  X.  16,  th.it  the  bread  and  wine  in  the 
fupper  are  the  communion  of  the  body  and  blood  of 
Chrift,  that  is,  efFcdual  pledges  of  our  conjundioa 
and  incorporation  with  Chrift,  and  one  v/ith  ano- 
ther :  And  in  ver.  17,  that  all  which  eat  of  one 
bread  or  one  loaf,  are  one  myllical  body.    This  place 

alone. 


te    HISTORY   OF   THE   BAPTISTS 

alone,  if  Mr.  B.  and  his  fellow  minifters  would 
ferioufly  confider,  and  fet  themfelves  faithfully  to 
obferve,  they  would  rather  offer  their  own  bodies 
to  be  torn  in  pieces  by  wild  beafts,  than  the  holy 
myfceries  of  Chrift's  body  to  be  prophaned  as  they 
are."  p.  92. 

Of  the  keys^  Matt.  :<vi.  18,  19,  he  fays,  "  It  is 
granted  by  all  fides  that  Chrift  gave  unto  Peter  the 
keys  of  the  kingdom,  that  is,  the  power  to  remit 
and  retain  fins  declaratively,  as  they  fpeak,  as  alfo 
that  in  what  refpeft  this  power  was  given  to  Peter, 
in  the  fame  refpeft  it  was,  and  is,  given  to  fuch  as 
fucceed  Peter  ;  but  the  queftion  is,  in  what  refpeft 
or  confideration  this  power  fpoken  of  was  delegated 
to  him  ?  The  Papift  affirms  it  was  given  to  Peter 
as  the  prince  of  the  apoilles,  and  fo  to  the  Bifhops 
of  Rome,  as  Peter's  fuccefiors,  and  thus  they  ftablifh 
the  Pope's-  primacy.  The  prelates  fay  nay,  but 
iinto  Peter  an  apoftle,  that  is,  a  chief  officer  of  the 
church,  and  fo  to  us,  as  chief  officers  fucceeding 
him.  Others  affirm  it  to  belong  to  Peter  here  as 
a  miniiler  of  the  word  and  facraments,  and  the  like, 
and  fo  confequently  to  all  other  minifters  of  the 
gofpel  equally,  which  fucceed  Peter  in  thofe  and 
the  like  adminiftrations.  But  v/e,  for  our  parts,  do 
believe  and  profefs  that  this  promife  is  not  made  to 
Peter  in  any  of  thefe  refpedls,  nor  to  any  office, 
order,  eftate,  dignity  or  degree  in  the  church  or 
world,  but  to  the  cQnfeffion  of  faith,  which  Peter 
made  by  way  of  anfwer  to  Chrift's  queftion  ;  Tbou 
crt  Chr'ijl^  the  fan  of  the  living  God.  To  this  Chrifl 
replies,  Ble£ed  art  thou  -,  thou  art  Peter,  and  upon  this 
rock  zvill  I  build  my  church  ;  I  will  give  unto  thee  the 
keys,  &c.  So  that  the  building  of  the  church  is 
upon  tHe  rock  of  Peter's  confeffion,  that  is,  Chrift 
whom  he  confefled.     This  faith  is  the  foundation 

of 


of  the  church  ;  againft  this  faith  the  gates  of  hell 
jQiall  not  prevail,-,  this  faith  hath  the  keys  of  the 
ikingdom  of  heaven  j  Nviiat  this  faith  fhall  loofe  or 
bind  on  earth,  is  bound  and  loored  in  heaven.  Thu^ 
the  Proteftant  divines,  when  they  deal  againft  the 
Pope's  fuprcmacy,  do  generally  expound  this  fcrip>. 
ture.  Now  it  foUoweth,  that  .  whatfoever  perform 
hath  received  the  fame  precious  faith  with  Peter,  as 
all  the  faithful  have,  2  Pet.  I.  i,  thatpeffon  hath  a 
part  in  this  gift  of  Chrift,  Whofoever  doth  confefs^ 
publifti,  manifeft  or  make  known  Jefus  to  be  the 
Chrift,  the  fon  of  the  living  God,  and  Saviour  of 
the  world,  that  perfon  opens  heaven's  gates,  loofeth 

Niin,  and  partakes  with  Peter  in.  the  ufe  of  the  keys  5 

and  hereupon  it  follov/cth  neceffarily,  that  one  faith- 

;ful  man,  yea,  or  woman  either,  miy  as  truly  and 

.  effeftually  loole  and  bind,  both  in  heaven  and  e^rth, 

/  as  all  the  minifters  in  the  worlcj."  p.  149,  150. 
!  "  But  here  I  know  ,the  lordly  clergy,  like  the 
bulls  of  Bafhan; will  roar  loud  upon  me,  as  fpeaking 
things  intolerably  derogatory  to  the  dignity  of  priefi- 
hood  -,  and  it  may  be  fome  others  alfo,  cither  through 
ignorance  or  fuperflition,  will  take  offence  at  thii 
fpeech,  as  confounding  all  things ;  buti'iere  is  nofuch 
caufe  of  exception.  For  howfoever  the  keys  be  one 
gnd  the  fame  in  nature  and  efficacy,  in  what  faithful 
man  or  mens  hands  foevcr,  as  not  depending  either 
uponthe  numberor  excellencyof  any  perfons,  but  up- 
on Chrift  alone  ;  yet  is  it  ever  to  be  remembered,  that 
thcsOrdcr  and  manner  of  ufing  them  is  very  diftercnr. 
"  The  keys  in  doftrine  may  be  turned  as  well 
Upon  them  which  are  without  the  church,  as  upori 
them  which  are  within,  and  their  fins  eith&r  loofed 
or  bound.  Matt,  xxviii.  19  ;  but  in  difcialinenot  fo,  • 
but  only  upon  them  which  are  within,  i  Cor. -v. 
12,  13.  Again,  the  apoftles  by  their  office  had 
.  P    .  thefe 


18     HlStOUr  OF   THE    BAPTISTS 

thefe  keys  to  ufe  in  all  churches,  yea,  in  all  nations 
upon  earth  :  Ordinary  elders  for  their  particular 
flocks,  A(ft.  xiv.  23,  and  xx.  28.  Laftly,  there  is  an 
ufe  of  the  keys  publicly  to  be  had,  and  an  ufe  pri- 
vately -,  an  ufe  of  them  by  one  perfon  feverally, 
and  an  ufe  of  them  by  the  whole  church  jointly,  and 
together  ;  ap  ufe  of  them  minifterially,  or  in  office, 
and  an  ufe  of  them  out  of  office  :  But  the  power 
.of  the  gofpel,  which  is  the  keys,  is  (till  one  and  the 
fame,  notwithftanding  the  diverfe  manner  of  ufing 
it."  p.  151. 

*'  If  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven  be  ap- 
propriated unto  the  officers,  then  can  there  be  no  for- 
givenefs  of  fins,  nor  falvation,  without  officers  ;  for 
there  is  no  entrance  into  heaven  but  by  the  door. 
"Without  the  key  the  door  cannot  be  opened  :  So  then 
belike,  if  either  there  be  no  officers  in  the  church  (as 
it  may  eafily  come  to  pafs  in  fome  extreme  plague 
or  perfecution)  and  muft  needs  be  in  the  churches 
of  Chrift  in  our  days,  either  in  their  firft  planting, 
or  firtl  calling  out  of  Babylon  ;  for  Antichriit's  niafs- 
priefthood  is  not  ellentially  Chriil's  true  miniftry, 
or  if  the  officers  take  away  the  key  of  knowledge^  as 
the  Scribes  and  Pharifces  did,  and  will  neither  enter 
themjehes  nor  fuffer  them  that  ivould -,  then  muft  the 
mjferable  multitude  be  content  to  be  ffiut  out  and 
perifh  eternally,  for  ought  is  known  to  the  contrary. 
To  admoniffi  the  officers  of  their  fin,  were  againji 
common  fenfe^  that  the  father  fhoidd  be  ftibjeB  to  his 
children^  the  work  domineer  over  the  woi  kman^  the 
Jccdfman  he  ordered  by  the  corn^  and  to  excommunicate 
and  call  new,  were  intolerable  ufurpation  of  the 
keys  i  this  power  is  given  to  the  chief  officers  only, 
p.  Q4,  95,  and  to  feparate  from  them  is  as  intole- 
rable, p.  88  *.    Miferable  were   the  Lord's  people, 

if 

*    Thefs  are  quotations  from  Bernard. 


[i6io.]       IN   NEW-ENGLAND.         19 

if  thefe  things  were  fo  ;  but  the  truth  is,  they  are 
miferable  guides  that  fo  teach. 

"  They  which  may  forgive  fins  and  finners,  fave 
fouls,  gain  and  turn  men  unto  the  Lord,  to  them 
are  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  given,  by  which  they 
open  the  door  unto  fuch  as  they  thus  torgive,  gain 
and  fave  :  But  all  thefe  things,  fuch  as  are  not 
minillers'may  do,  as  thefe  fcriptures,  which  I  intreat 
the  godly  reader  to  confider,  do  moft  clearly  ma- 
nifeft,  Matt,  xviii.  15.  2  Cor.  v.  7 — 10.  Ad.  viii.  1,4. 
with  xi.  19-— 21.  Jam.  v.  19,  20.  i  Pet.  iii.  i.  Jude 
xxii.  23.  Erroneous,  therefore,  and  derogatory  is 
it  to  the  nature  of  the  gofpel,  and  free  donation  of 
Chrilf,  thus  to  impropriate  and  engrofs  the  keys, 
which  lie  common  to  all  chriftians  in  their  place 
and  order."  p.  152,  153. 

Concerning  crdination  Mr.   Robinfon  obfervcs,' 
"  That  the  officers  of  the  church  are  the  Jewants 
of  the  church  •,  and  their  office  a  fervice  of  the  Lord, 
and  of  bis  churchy  Matt.  x.  25,  26,  27.  2  Cor.  iv.  5. 
Rom.  XV.  31.     Whereupon  it  foUoweth  seceffarily, 
that  what  power  the  officers  have,  tiie  body  of  the 
church  hath  firft."  p.  411.     **    To  thefe  things  I 
add,  that  what  power  any  of  the  Pope's  clergy   re- 
ceive from  him,  the  fame  he  takes  from  them,  and 
deprives  them  of,  where  they   withdraw  their  obe- 
dience,  or   feparate  from  that   church.      For   our 
better  proceeding,  I  will  firft  confider  what  ordina- 
tion is  •,  and  fecondly  how  far  the  brethren  m;'y  go 
by  the  fcriptures,  and  the  neceffary  confcquences 
drawn  from  them,  in  this  and  the  like  cafes,   in  the 
fit  ft  planting  of  churches,  or  in  redu  ing  of  them 
into  order,  in  or  after  fome  general  confufion.     The 
prelates,  and  thofe  which  level  by  their  line,   highly 
advance  ordination  far  above  the  adminiftration  of 
the  word,  facrament  and  prayer  5  making  it,  and 

D  2  the 


^q    pi§TOHlC   OF   THE   BAPTJST^ 

%hQ  power  of  excommunication,  the  two  inqommu- 
jilcabls  prerogatives  of  a  Bifliop  above  an  ordinary 
^inifter.  But  furely  herein  thefe  chief  miniftera 
do  not  fucceed  the  chief  minifters,  the  apoftles, 
except  a^  darknefs  fucceeds  light,  and  Antichrill's 
confufion  Chrift's  order.  Y^here  the  apoilles  were 
lent  out  by  Chnfti  there  was  no  mention  of  ordina- 
tion J  their  charge  was,  go  teach  all  nathns^  and  hap- 
size  them  y  and  that  the  apoilles  accounted  preach- 
ing ihpu  principal  work,  and  after  it  baptifm  and 
prayer,  the  fcfiptus^es  manifeft,  A(5l.  vi.  4,  ;  Cor." 

'^  Op.Di^fATioK  doth  depend  upon  the  people*? 
lawful  eledion,  as  an  efFecl  upon  the  caufe,  by  virtue 
of  which  ^t  is  juftiy'  adminirtied,  and  may  be  thus- 
^efcrih.ed,  or  confidered  of. us  i  as  the  admiHionof 
or  putting  into  pofTeffion  a  perfon  lawfully  eledled 
^nto  a  trueofHceof  rxiiniftry.— The  right  unto  their 
pffice  they  have  by  eleftion,  the  poffeflion  by  ordi- 
nation, with  the  cererpony  of  impoiition  of  hands. 
The  apollle,  Peter,  advertifing  the  difciples  cr  bre- 
thren, that  one  (fitted  as  there  noted)  was  in  the 
jfoom  of  Judas  to  be  made  a  witnefs,  with  the  eleven 
apoftlesj,  of  the  refurredion  of  Chrift,  when  two. 
were  ^y  the.m  prefented^  did  with  the  reft  prefent 
Xhtm.  two  and  none  other  to  the  Lord^  that  he,  by  the 
xmmediacc  direction  of  the  lot,  might  fl;ie\y  whether 
9f  them  two  he  had  chofen,  AOi,  i.— In  like  man- 
lier th$  t-imlve.  being  to  inftitute  the  office  of  dea- 
conry  in  the  church  zt  Jerufalero.i  called  the  multi- 
tude qf  the  dtfcipJes  together,  and  informed  them 
what  manner  of  perfons  they  were  to  choofe  j  which 
^hoice  being  rnade  by  the  brethren  accordingly,  and. 
they  fo  chofen  prefented  to  the  apoftles,  they  forth- 
with ordained  them,  by  virtue  of  the  eleftion- made 
fay  the  brethren.  To  thefe  add,  that  the  apoilles, 
■*:  ■■  ■  ■■  ■  '^    Vm\ 


[i^io.]      IN    NEW-EN  GLAND.         q^t 

Paul  and  Barnabas  (being  thereunto  called  by  the 
holy  ghoil)  did  pafs  from  church  to  church,  and 
from  place  to  place,  and  in  every  church  where 
they  cams  -did  ordain  them  elders  by  the  people's, 
e'/^^/cw,  fignified  by  iht'ii:  Ufiing  tip  of  hands,  as 
the  word  is,  and  as  the  ufe  was  in  popular  ckiftions, 
throughout  thole  countries,  A6t.  xiii.  2,  and  xiv. 
i>3. — The  judgment  and  plea,  (when  they  deal  with 
us)  of  the  moit  forward  men  in  the  land,  in  this 
cafe,  I  may  not  omit  i  which  is,  that  they  renounce 
and  difclaim  their  ordination  by  the  prelates,  and 
hold  their  miniilry  by  the  people's  acceptation. 
Now  if  the  acceptation  of  a  mixt  company,  under 
the  prelates  government  (as  is  the  bell  parifii  affen> 
|)ly  in  the  kingdom)  v;hereof  the  greated  part  have 
^v  the  revealed  will  of  God  no  right  to  the  cove- 
nant, miniftry,  or  oiher  holy  things,  be  fufRcient  to 
|nake  a  minifter,  then  m.uch  more  the  acceptation 
of  the  people  with  us,  being  all  of  them  jointly, 
and  every  one  of  them  leverally,  by  the  mere  y  of 
God,  capable  of  the  Lord's  ordinances*.  I  acLnow- 
"■■'''  ledge 

*  Mr.  Robin  fan  gives  us  a  number  of  the  Proteftant's  teftimo- 
nies  upon  this  point,  of  which  take  the  following  : 

*'  Call,  i,  8,  If  any  teaeh  another  gofpel,  Irt  him  be 
"  anathema.  Only  the  a{|embly_  whers  the  true  doflrine  found- 
"  eth  is  the  ehurch  :  Jn  it  is  the  miniftry  of  the  gofpel  :  In  k 
''  a.x&  the  ]!itY%  Oi  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  Wherefore  in  that 
*:'  very  afTembly  there  is  the  right  of  calling  and  ordaining  the 
^*  minifters  of  the  gofpelj,  becaufe  v/e  muft  fly  the  enemies  0^ 
*.'  the  gofpel,  ^s  anathema.  And  befideu,  if  w(e  fhould  defirc 
*'  of  them  the  cetiemony  of  ordination,  they  would  not  give  ir,  . 
"  except  we  would  bindourfelves  to  renounce  the  true  doftrine, 
*'  and  otHa?  wicked  bonds  would  they  cafk  upon  «s.  It  is  the 
"  coafaiion  of  order,  to  feek.  fhepherds  from  the  wolves.  This 
"  hath  ever  been  the  right  of  the  true  churchy  to  choofe  and 
*'  call  Quc  gf  biCV  own  aiTembly  fit  ntiniiters  of  the   gofpel." 

Philip    Melanfton, 

*'  In  the  planting  of  charches  anew,  when  men  are  wanting, 
^'  whicU  (Uottldpreach  the  gofpel,  a  wcmaamav  perforwi  that  at  the 

«'  iirllj 


21     HISTORY  OF   THE   BAPTISTS 

icdge  that  where  there  are  already  lawful  officers 
in  a  church,  by  and  to  which  others  are  called, 
there  the  former,  upon  that  eleflion,  are  to  ordain 
and  appoint  the  latter.  The  officers,  beii.^  the  mi- 
nifters  of  the  church,  are  to  execute  the  determina- 
tions of  the  church  under  the  Lord— -Ordination  is 
properly  the  execution  of  eledion.'*  p.  413 — 15. 
"  The  apoftle  Paul  writes  to  the  churches  of 
Galatia  to  rejedl,  as  accurfed^  fuch  minifters  whomfo- 
ever  as  fliould  preach  otherwife  than  they  had  al- 
ready received:  And  the  fa^ne  apoftle  writes  to  the 
church  of  Colofife,  to  admoniffi  Archippus  to  take 
heed  to  his  miniftry.  So  John  alfo,  to  the  church  of 
Ephefus,  commendeth  it  for  examining^  and  fo  con- 
lequently  iov  fdencing^  fuch  as  pretended  ihemfelves 
apollles,and  were  not :  As  alfo  to  the  church  of  Thi- 
at)  ra,  reproving  for  fuffering  unfilenced  the  falfe 
prophetefs  Jezebel.  Now  as  thefe  things  did  firft 
^nd  principally  concern  the  officers,  who  were  in 
thefe  and  all  other  things  of  the  fame  nature  to  go 
before  and  govern  the  people  ;  fo  are  the  people  al- 
fo in  their  places  interefled  in  the  fame  bufinefs 
gnd  charge  :  Neither  could  the  officers  fin  (if  they 
^ould  have  been  corrupt  or  negligent;  difcharge  the 

people. 

**  firft;  but  fo  as  when  flie  hath  taught  any  company,  that  fome 
**  one  man  of  the  faithful  be  ordained,  which  may  afterwards 
**  niinifterthe  facraments,  teach,  and  do  the  paftor's  duty  faith- 
«*   fully."     Peter  Martyr. 

•'  Tilenus  being  demanded  of  the  £'«r/ o/^iflT/z//,  from  whom 
**  Calvin  had  his  calling  ?  anfwered,  From  ihe  church  of  Gene- 
"  %'a,  and  from  Farrell,  his  predecefTor  ;  who  alfo  had  his  from 
*'  the  people  of  Geneva  ;  who  had  right  and  auchority  to  infti- 
*'  tute  and  depofe  minifters:  Which  thing  he  alfo  confirms  by 
•*  Cyprian,  Epift.  xiv."     p.  421,  422. 

Thefe  were  the  fentimcnts  of  thofe  who  knew  how  they  came 
out  of  Rome,  and  upon  what  grounds  the  Proteftant  churches 
were  formed  ;  but  how  differently  arc  things  reprefented  by 
afpiring  men  at  this  day  ? 


[i6io.]        m   NEW'-ENGLAND.       fi| 

people  of  their  duty  in  the  things  which  concerned 
thenii  but  they  were  bound  notwiihftanding  to  fee 
the   commandments    of  the  apofties,   and    of  the 
Lord  Jefus  by  them,  executed   accordingly.     And 
if  the  people  be  in  cafes,  and   when    their  cfiicers 
fail,  thus  lolemnly   to  examine,  admonifli,  filence, 
and  fupprefs  their  teachers,  being  faulty  ard  un- 
jfound  ;  then   are   they  alfo   by  proportion,   where 
officers  fail,  to  eledt,  appoint,  let  up  and  over  them- 
felves  fuch  fit  perfons  as  the  Lord  affordeth  them,  for 
their  furtherance  of  faith  and  falvation.'*  p.  417,418. 
Against   this     doflrine   many  objeftions    have 
been  raifed  ;  the  chief  of  which  are  about  the  peo- 
ple's inftability,  and   its  tendency  to  confufion.     In 
anfwer  to  which,  Mr.  Robinfon  reminds  his  oppo- 
nant,  that  though  his   ignorant  people  had  readily 
changed  their  religion  v/ith  their  ir*rince,  even  back 
to  Popery   in  Mary's  days ;  yet,    *'  The  prelates 
and   prielts   were  as  unliable  as  the  reft,  yea  their 
ringleaders.     But,   fays  he,   for  experience  in  this 
our  popularity,   as  you  term  it,   I  tell  you,  that  if 
ever  1  faw  the  beauty  of  Sion,  and   the  glory  of  the 
Lord   filling  his  tabernacle,  it  hath  been  in  the  ma- 
nifeftation  of  the  divers  graces  of  God  in  the  church, 
in  that  heavcRly  harmony,  and  comely  order,  where- 
in by  the  grace  of  God  we  are  fet  and  walk  ;  where- 
in, if  your  eyes  had   but  fccn  the  brethren's  fobcr 
and   modeft   carriage   one    towards   another,   their 
humble  and  willing  fubmifiion  unto  their  guides  iri 
the  Lord,  their  tender  cf?mpafilon  towards  the  weak, 
their  fervent  zeal  againft  fcandalous  offenders,  and 
their  long-fuffering  towards  all,  you  would,  I   am 
perfuaded,   change   your  mind,    and  be  compelled 
to  take  up   your  parable^  and  bh^fs  where  vou  pur- 
pofed   to  curfe.'^  p.  212.      '"'  For  mine  own   parr, 
knowing  mine  own  inftrmities,  and  that  I  am.  fubjctH: 

to 


i4    HisTOi^t'  OF  THE  Baptist^' 

to  fin,  yea  and  to  t'rowardnefs  in  fin,  as  much  as  the 
brethren  are  ;  if  by  mir.c  office  1  Ihould  be  deprived 
of  the  remedy  which  they  enjoy,  that  bleffed  ordi- 
nance of  the  churches  cenlures,  I  Ihould  think  mine 
ofii«  e  accurfed,  and  myfelf  by  it,  as  fruftrating  and 
(dirappointing  me  of  that  main  end  for  which  the 
fervahts  of  Lhritt  ought  to  join  thcmfelves  unto  the 
church  of  Chrill,  furnilhed  with  his  power  for  th^ir 
reformation.  As,  on  the  CQntrary,  God  is  my  record, 
how,  in  the  very  writing  of  thefe  things,  my  fou! 
is  filled  with  fpiritual  joy,  that  I  am  under  this  eafy 
yoke  ofChrift,  the  cenfures  of  the  church,  and  how 
much  i  am  comforted  in  this  confideration,  againft 
my  vile  and  corrupt  nature,  which,  notwithflanding^ 
I  am  perfuaded  the  Lord  will  never  fo  far  fuffer  to 
rebel,  as  that  it  (hall  not  be  tamed  and  fubdued  by 
this  Itrong  hand  of  God,  without  .ivhich  it  might 
€very  day  and  hour  fo  hazard  my  falvation.  That 
doftrine  which  advanceth  an  inferior  and  meaner 
ftate  in  the  church,  above  that  which  is  fuperior  and 
the  chief,  that  is  unfound,  and  indeed  ferving  in  a 
degree  for  the  exa/icikon  of  that  man  of  fin  above  alt 
that  IS  called  Gad.  But  the  dodrine  of  fetting  the 
elders  without  and  above  the  judgments  and  cenlures 
of  the  church,  doth  advance  an  inferior  above  a 
fuperior.     The  point  I  thus  manifeft  :       . 

*'  Th£  order  of  kings  is  the  higheft  order  or 
^ftate  in  the  church.  But  the  order  of /^/«/j  is  the 
order  (j1  kings ^  and  we  are  kings  as  we  are  faints, 
not  as  we  are  officers.  K^  the  Lord  Jeiiis did  prove 
againft  the  Scribes  and  Pharifees,  that  the  temple 
was  greater  than  the  gold,  becaufe  it  fan^flified  the 
gold,  and  that  the  altar  was  greater  than  the  offer- 
ing, becaufe  it  fand:ificd  the  clfering,  fo'  by  propor- 
tion the  condition  of  a  faint,  which  fanftifieth  the 
Condition  of  an  oBicer,  is  more  excellent  than  it  is. 

.       To 


Ijeio.)      m    NEW-ENGLANt).       £| 

To  our  faintfliip,  and  as  we  have  faith,,  is  pronrjifed 
the  forgiyencfs  of  fins,  the  favour  of  Cod,  and  life 
'tternal,  but  not  to  our  office,  or  in  refped  of  ic. 
The  eftate  of  a  fainc  is  moft  Happy  and  bleiTed, 
though  the  pferlon  never  fo  much  as  come  near  an 
office  i  but  on  the  contrary,  an  officer,  if  He  be  not 
ahb  and  first  a  faint,  is  a  moft  wretched  and  slcj 
curfed  creature."  p.  216,  217. 

The  reader  will  not  wonder  that  thofe  who  were 
for  national  churches,  and  unconverted  miniflers, 
difcovered  a  ftrong  preiudice  agalnfb  fuch  writings 
as  thefe  j  but  how  well  do  they  agree  with  the 
apoftles  do(ftrinc  ?  i  Cor.  xii.  3(,  ahd  xiii.  i- — 3^ 
Gal.  i. 

Of  REFORMATiONi  Mr.  koblnfon  fays  to  his  op/ 
ponent,  *' You  fpeak  much  of  the  reformation  of 
your  church  after  Popery.  There  was  indeed  a 
great  reformation  of  things  in  J^our  church,  but  very 
little  of  the  church,  to  fpeak  truly  and  propetly. 
The  people  arc  the  church  ;  and  to  m.ake  a  reform- 
ed church,  there  muft  be  firil  a  reformed  people  i 
and  fo  they  fhould  have  been  with  you,  by  tlic  precjch- 
ing  of  repentance  from  dead  works,  and  faith  in  Chrifi  i 
that  the  people,  as  the  Lord  ihould  have  vouchfafcd 
grace,  being  firlt  fitted  for,  and  made  capable  of„ 
the  facraments,  and  other  ordinances,  might  after- 
wards have  communicated  iri  the  pure  ufc  of  them  ^ 
for  want  of  which,  inilead  of  a  pure  ufe,  there  hath 
been,  and  is  ac  this  day,  a  moft  prophane  abufe  of 
them,  to  the  g^cat  diilionor  of  Chriil  and  his  gofpelj 
and  to  the  hardening  of  thoufands  in  their  impeni- 
tcncy.  Othtvs  alfo  endeavouring  yet  a  further  re- 
formation, have  fued  and  do  ftic  to  Kings,  and 
Q^^ecns,  and  Parliaments,  for  the  rooting  out  of  the 
prelacy,  and  with  it,  of  fuch  other  evil  fruits  as 
grow  from  that  bitter  root ;  and  on  tlie  contrary,  to 

F  have 


26     HISTORY   OF    THE   BAPTISTS 

have   the   mlniftry,    government  and  difcipline  of 

Chrift  fetover  the  pariflics  as  they  ftand  •,    the  firft 

ftuit   of  which    reformation,    if  it  were  obtained, 
would  be  the  prophanation  of  the  more  of  God's 

ordinances  upon  fuch,  as  to  whom  they  appertained 

f^pot  •,  and  fo  the  further  provocation  of  his  Majefty 

^vinto  anger  againft  all  fuch  as  fo  pradlifed,  or  con- 

fented  thereunto.  Is  it  not  flrange  that  men,  in  the 
reforming  of  a  church,  fliould  almoft,  or  altogether, 

^forget  the'church,  which  is  the  people,  or  that  they 
fiiould  labour  to  crown  Chrift  a  King  over  a  peo- 

'ple,  whofe  prophet  he  hath  not  firft  been  ?  Or  to 
fet  him  to  rule'  by  his  laws  and  officers,  over  the 
profeiTcd  fubjef^s  of  Anrichrift  and  the  devil  !  Is  it 
poffible  that  ever  they  fhould  fubmit  to  the  difci- 
pline of  Chrift,   which  have  not  firft  been  prepared, 

,  in  feme  meafure,  by  his  holy  dodrine,  and  taught 
v;ith  meeknefs  to  ftoop  unto  h'is  yoke  ?"  p.  300, 
301. 

A  MAIN  plea  for' fuch  confufion,  both  then  and 
now,  was  and  is  drawn  from  the  parable  of  the 
/jr^5  :  But,  fays  Mr.  Robinfon,  "Since  the  Lord 
Jefus,  v/ho  beft  knew  his  own  meaning,  calls  the 
Jleld  the  zvorld,  and  makes  the  harvejl^  which  is  the 
end  of  the  field,  the  end  cf  the  worlds  and  not  of  the 
church,  why  Diould  we  admit  of  any  other  interpre- 
tation ?  Neither  is  it  like  that  Chrift  would  in  the 
expounding  of  one  parable  fpeak  another,  as  he 
ihouldiiave  done,  if,  in  calling  the  field  the  world, 
he  had  meant  the  church.  As  God  then  in  the 
beginning  made  man  good,  and  placed  him  in  the 
field  of  the  world,  there  to  grow,  where  by  the  envy 
of  the  ferpent  he  was  foon  corrupted,  fo  ever  fince 
hath  the  feed  of  the  ferpent,  ftirred  up  by  their 
father  the  devil,  fnarled  at  the  heal  of  the  woman's 
feed,  and  like  n'oifonie  tares  vexed  and  peftered 

the 


[i6io.]      IN    NEW-ENGLAND.         27 

the  good  and  holy  feed  -,  which  though  the  children 
of  God  both  fee  and  feel  to  their  pain,  yet  muft  they' 
not  therefore,  forgetting  what  fpifit  they  dfe  (f^ 
prefently  call  foi-^re from  heaven^  nor  i^revtni  ih^ 
Lord's  Tiand,  but  wait  his  leifure,  either  for  the 
converting  of  thefe  tares  into  wheat,  which  in  many 
is  daily  feen,  and  then  how  great  pity  had  it  been 
they  (hould  (0  untimely  have  been  plucked  up  ?  Or 
for  their  final  perdition  in  the  day  of  the  Lord,  whtin 
the  church  fliall  be  no  more  offended  by  them. 
And  that  the  Lord  Jefus  no  way  fpeaks  of  the 
toleration  of  prophane  perfons  in  the  .church,  doth 
appear  by  thefe  reafons: 

"I.  Because  he  doth  not  contradict  himfelf,  by 
forbidding  the  ufc  of  the  keys  in  one  place,  which 
in  another  he  hath  turned  upon  impenitent  offenders, 
Matt,  x^iii.  2.  In  the  excommunication  of  finners 
apparently  obflinate,  with  due  circumfpeftion,  and 
in  the  fpirit  of  wifdom,  meeknefs,  and  long-fufFer- 
ing,  with  fuch  other  general  chriftian  virtues,  as 
with  which  all  our  fpecial  facrifices  ought  to  be  fea- 
foned,  what  danger  can  there  be  of  any  fuch  difor- 
der,  as  the  plucking  up  of  the  wheat  with  the  tares, 
which  the  hufbandman  feareth  ?  3.  The  Lord  Jefus 
fpeaks  of  the  utter  ruinating  and  deftru<5lion  of  the 
tares — the  plucking  them  up  ly  the  rcots ;— But  ex- 
communication rightly  adminiftred  is  not  for  the 
ruin  and  deftrudlion  of  any,  but  for  the  falvatio'n 
of  the  party  thereby  humbled,  i  Cor.  v.  5.— The 
Lord's  field  is  fownonly  Wnhgocd  Jeed — his  churcli 
faints  beloved  of  God,  all  and  every  one  of  them, 
though  by  the  malice  of  Satan,  and  negligence  of 
fuch  as  fhould  keep  this  field,  vineyard  and  houfe 
of  God,  adulterated  feed,  and  abominable  perfons, 
may  be  foifted  in,  yea  and  fuffered  alfo."  p.  119, 
120.  ."  I  deny  not  but,  as  it  hath  been  faidofold, 
^  E  2  there 


-^n     HISTORY  OF    THE    BAPTISTS 

there  arc  msLpyJheep  'without^  and  many  vjolves"i&ith^ 
in  ;  many  of  the  vifiblc  ohurch  which  are  hot  o£ 
the  invifible  church,  and  many  of  the  invifiblechurcK 
•which  never  come  into  the  vifible  church  :  But  this, 
fay  I,  is  not  according  to  the"  revealed  will  of  God 
in  his  word  \  but  byixlen's  default  and  fin.  It  is 
Tfhe-ir  fin  of  ignorance,  or  infirmity,  which,  being  o% 
t'^e  invifibl?  ghurch,  do  not,  if  poflibly  they  can, 
join  themfelves  unto  the  vifible  church,  there  to 
partake  in  the  vifible  ordinances.  It  is  their  fin  of 
hypocrify  and  prefumption,  which  not  being  of  the 
invifible  church,  do  iadjoin  themfelves  to  the  vifible 
church,  ^here  to  prophane  the  Lord'«  covenant  and 
ordinances,  tio  which  they  have  no  right.  For  how 
can  they,  being  wicked  and  unholy,  challenge  th^ 
Lord  to  be  their  God,  that  is,  all  happinefs  and 
goodnefs  unto  them,  which  is  one  part  of  the  cove- 
nant V  or  profefs  themfelves  to  be  his  people,  whica 
is  another  part,  when  the  devil  and  their  lufts  is 
their  God  ?'*  p.  313,  314. 

Pf  tht  Diference  beHveen  Civil  and  EcckfmJlicalGo^ 
vernmenL  ""' 

**  I.  Civil  officers  are  called  in  the  word  of  God 
■primes^  beads^  captains^  judges^  niagiJirateSy  nobles^ 
lordSi  kings ^  them  in  authority^  principalities  and  pcivers^ 
yea  in  their  r^fpect  Gods  ;  and  according  to  their 
jhames  fo  are  their  offices  :  But  oil  the  contrary, 
ecclcfiaflical  officers  are  not  capable  of  thefe,  or  the 
like  titles,  which  can  neither  be  given  without 
flattery  unto  them,  nor  received  by  them  without 
jirrogancy  :  Neither  is  their  office  ^n  office  of  lord- 
iliip,  fovereignty  or  authority,  but  of  labour  and 
ftrvice^  ^nd  fo  they,  the  labourers  z^^di  fervants  of  the 
«hvjrch,  as  of  God,  2  Cor.  iv.  5,  i  Tim.  lii.  X. 

"  2.  Magistrates    may    publifh  and    execute 

th^ir  x)wn  laws  in  their  own  n;^mes,  Ezra  i.  i,  fifc. 

'•  ■•    ■  ■        :   \     .     A     ■    -         Efthes' 


[ifiio.]        IN    NEW-ENGLAND.      29 

Efthcr  viii.  8,  Matt.  xx.  25.  But  miniders  are  only 
interpreters  of  the  laws  of  God,  and  muft  look  for 
no  further  refped  at  the  hands  of  any  to  the  things, 
they  fpeak,  than  as  tbcy  manifeft  the  fame  to  be 
the  ammandmcnts  of  the  Lord^  i  Cor,  xiv.  37. 

*'  3.  Civil  adminiftrations,  and  their  forms  of 
government,  may  be  and  oft  times  are  altered,  for 
the  avoiding  of  inconveniences,  according  to  the 
circumftanccs  of  time,  place  and  perfons,  Lxod. 
Kviii.  13,  &c.  But  the  church  is  a  kingdom  which 
(aivioi  he  Jhaken^  Heb.  xii,  28,  wherein  may  be  no 
innovation  in  office,  or  form  of  adminiftracionjfroni 
i;hat  which  Chrift  hgth  left,  for  a^y  inconveniency 
whatfoevcr. 

"  4.  Civil,  msgiftrates  have  authority  by  their 
offices  to  judge  offenders,  upon  whom  alfothey  may- 
execute  bodily  vengeance,  ufing  their  people  as  their 
iervants  and  minifters  for  the  fame  purpole  j  but 
jn  the  church  the  officers  are  the  minifters  of  the 
people,  whole  fervice  the  people  ia  to  ufe  for  the 
;sdminiitring  of  the  judgme/its  of  the  church,  and  of 
God  firft,  againfl:  the  obftinate,  which  is  the  utmoCb 
execution  the  church  can  perform. « — But  here  it 
will  be  demanded  of  me,  if  tiie  elders  be  not  fet  over 
^he  church  for  her  guidance  and  government  ?  Yes 
certainly,  as  the  phyfician  is  fet  over  the  body,  for 
his  fkil!  >and  faithfulnefs,  to  minifter  unto  it,  to 
•whom  tne  patient,  though. his  lord  and  mafter,  is  to 
fub.mit  J,  the  lawyer  over  his  caufe,  to  attead  unto 
it ;  the  fteward  over  his  family,  even  his  wife  and 
children,  to  make  provifion  for  them  :  Yea,"  the 
watchman  over  the  whole  city,  for  the  fafe  keeping 
thereof.  Such,  and  none  other,  is  the  eider's  or 
^ifhop's  government."  p.  135 — 137. 

But,  fays  Mr.  Robinfon,  "What  fway  authority 

hat!;5^  !jt)  ^he  churcLof  En§la.adj  appeareth  in  the 

l-  '  ' '  laws 


5©     HISTORY  OF   THE   BAPTISTS 

laws  of  the  land,  which  make  the  government  of 
the  church  alterable  at  the  magiftrate's  plealure  ; 
and  fo  the  clergy,  in  their  fubmifllon  to  King  Henry 
VIII.  do  derive,  as  they  pretend,  their  ecclcfiaftical 
jurifdidtion  from  him^  and  fo  execute  ir.  Indeed 
many  of  the  late  Bifhops  and  their  proftors,  feeing 
how  monftrous  the  miniftration  is  of  divine  things, 
by  an  human  authority  and  calling ;  and  growing 
bold  upon  the  prefent  difpofition  of  the  magiitrate, 
have  difclaimed  that  former  title,  and  do  profeflcdly 
hold  their  ecclefiaftical  power  and  jurifdi(5tion  de 
jure  divinoj  and  fo  conlequently  by  God's  word 
unalterable :  Of  whom  I  would  demand  this  one 
queftion: 

"  What  if  the  King  fhould  difchargc  and  expel 
the  prefent  ecclefiaftical  government,  and  plant  in- 
ftead  of  it  the  prefbytery  or  elderfhip,  would  they 
fubmit  unto  the  government  of  the  elders,  yea  or  no  ? 
If  yea,  then  were  they  traitors  to  the  Lord  Jefus, 
fubmitting  to  a  government  overthrowing  his  go- 
vernment, as  doth  the  Prefbyterian  government 
that  which  is  Epifcopal :  If  no,  then  how  could  they 
free  themfelves  from  fuch  imputations  of  difloyalty 
to  Princes,  and  difturbance  of  ftates,  as  wherewith 
they  load  us  and  others  oppofing  them  ?  But  to 
the  queftion  itfelf :  "  As  the  kingdom  of  Chrift  is 
itoi  of  this  world,  but  fpiritual,  and  he  -^«- fpiritual 
King,  John  xviii.  36,  fo  fnuft  the  government  of 
this  fpiritual  kingdom  under  this  fpiritual  King 
needs  be  fpiritual,  and  all  the  laws  of  it.  And  as 
Chrift  Jefus  hath,  by  the  merits  of  his  priefthood, 
redeemed  as  well  the  body  as  the  foul,  i  Cor.  vi.  20 ; 
fo  is  he  alfo  by  the  fceptre  of  his  kingdom  to  rule 
and  reign  over  both  :  Unto  which  chriftian  magi- 
ftrates,  as  well  as  meaner  perfons,  ought  to  fubmic 
themfelves,  and  the  more  chriftian  they  are,  the 

more 


[i6io,]      IN    NEW. ENGLAND.        31 

more  meekly  to  take  the  yoke  of  Chrift  upon  them, 
and  the  greater  authority  they  have,  the  more  effec- 
tually to  advance  his  fceptre  over  thcmfelves  and 
their  pjrople,  by  all  good  means.  Neither  can  there 
be  any  rcafon  given  why  the  merits  of  faints 
may  not  as  well  be  mingled  with  the  merits  of  Chrifl:, 
'for  the  faving  of  the  church,  as  the  laws  of  men  with 
his  Jaws,  for  the  ruling  and  guiding  of  it.  He  is  as 
abfolute  and  entire  a  King  as  he  is  a  pricft,  and  his 
.people  muft  be  as  careful  to  preferve  the  dignity 
of  the  one,  as  to  enjoy  the  benefit  of  the  other." 
p.  38. 

Of  Minijlers  Maintenance, 
Mr.  Bernard  charged  his  opponents  v/ith  error,  in 
holding  that  miniflers  ought  not  to  live  of  tithes^ 
but  of  the  people's  voluntary  contribution  t,  and  fays, 
7'his  is  againjl  the  wifdom  of  God^  who  allowed  a  Jet- 
tied  maintenance  under  the  law  •,  and  there  is  Jtothing 
againjl  it  in  thigoj-pel.     But  in   reply  Mr.  Robinfon 
fays,  '*  As  the  Lord  appointed  under  the  law  a  fet- 
tled maintenance  by  tithes  and  offerings,  fo  did  he 
a  fettled    land  of  Canaan,  which  was  holy,    and  a 
facrament  ;  fo  did  he  alfo  appoint  that  the  Levitts 
be  maintained  there,  Jkould  have  no  part  nor  inherit- 
ance with  the   reji   of   the  Ifraelites  their  brethren^ 
And  hath  God's  wifdom  fo  appointed  now  .^^  If  it 
had,  I  fear  many  would  not  reft  in    it,  fo  wife   arc 
they  for  their  bellies.     And  where  you  add,    that 
there  is  nothing  in  the  gofpel  againfl  this  ordinance 
in  the  law,  the  author  to  the  Hebrews  nvght  have 
taught  you,  that  the  law  is  aboliflied  by  the  gofpel, 
in  the  fenfe  we  fpeak  of;  and  the  old  teflament  by 
the  new,  in  refpc(5l  of  ordinances,   whereof  this  was 
one.     If  it  be  faid  that  tithes  were  in  ufe  and  given 
by  Abraham  to  Melchizcdech,  priefl    of  the  moft 
high  God,  before  the  law  or  old  tePiament  was  given 

by 


*2      HISTORY  OF   THE   BAPTISTS 

byMofes,  Ianfwer,that  fo  was  circumcifion'miniftred 
and  facrifices  offered  before  Mofes  5  which  notwith- 
flanding  v/ere  parts  of  the  old  teflament,  and  affumcd 
by  Mofes  into  the  body  of  it,  and  fo  are  abolifhed  by 
the  new.  To  conclude  this  point,  fince  tithes  and 
offerings  were  appurtenances  unto  the  priefthood, 
and  that  ihe  prirfibood,  both  of  Melchizedech  and 
Levi)  are  abolifhed  in  Chrifl,  as  the  fliadow  in 
the  fubflance  j  and  that  the  Lord  bath  ordained  thai 
they  which  preach  the  go/pel^  Jhould  live  of  the  gofpel ; 
v/e  willingly  leave  unto  you  both  your  pricftly  or- 
der and  maintenance,  contenting  ourfelves  with  the 
people's  voluntary  contribution,  whether  it  be  lefs 
or.  more,  as  the  bleiling  of  God  upon  our  labour, 
the  fruit  of  our  miniftry,  and  declaration  of  thdr 
love  and  duty."     p.  439^  440. 

In  all  thefc  paflages  which  begin  and  end  wirh 
rparks  of  quotation,  I  have  recited  Mr.  Robinfon's 
own  exprefiions,  without  knowingly  adding  a  fingle 
word.  The  fpelling  I  have  brought  to  the  prefent 
times,  but  the  language  is  entirely  h\s  •,  and  it  may 
be  queflioned  whether  any  talked  a  purer  one  in  that 
day  or  not,  if  there  does  in  thisi  About  the  time 
of  his  publilhing  this  book,  and  fomc  following 
years,  *'  many  came  to  his  church  at  Leyden  from 
"  divers  parts  of  England^  fo  that  they  grew  a, 
*'  great  congregation  j  even  fo  as  to  have  three  hun- 
**  dred  communicants*."  And  as  the  Arminian 
controverfy  caufed  great  troubles  in  Holland,  and 
efpecialjy  at  Leyden,  their  two  divinity  profcflbrs 
being  divided,  Epifcopius  appearing  for^  and  Po" 
Jydore  againll  the  Arminian  tenets  j  Mr.  Roblnfon, 
though  he  preached  thrice  a  vireek,  and  went  through 
much  other  labour,  yet  went  conflantly  to  hear 
them  both,  whereby  he  got  well  grounded  in  the 

conrroverfyi 

*  Prince's  Chrono1o?y--'P]vmootkRepiil5r, 


fcontroverfy,  fo  that  when  Epifcoplus,  about  the 
year  1613,  fet  forth  fnndry  Arminian  thefes  at  Ley- 
den,  which  ne  would  defend  againft  all  oppofers, 
Polydore  infifted  upon  Mr.  Robinfon''s  engaging 
againft  him,  telling  him,  that  "  Such  was  the  abi- 
lity and  expertnefs  of  the  adverfary,  that  the  truth 
is  in  danger  to  fuffer,  if  he  would  not  help  them  5 
is  fo  importunate  as  at  length  he  yields ;  and  when 
the  day  comes,  he  fo  defends  the  truth,  and  foils  the 
oppofer,  as  he  put  him  to  an  apparent  itottflus  in  this 
great  and  public  audience.  The  fame  he  does  a  fe- 
cond  and  a  third  time,  upon  the  like  occafions, 
which  as  it  caufes  many  to  give  praife  to  God  that 
the  truth  had  fo  famous  a  viftory  •,  fo  it  procures 
Mr.  Robinfon  much  refpe<5t  and  honor  from  thofe 
learned  men  and  others*." 

Several  attempts  were  made  to  pknt  New-Eng-' 
land  from  worldly  motives,  but  they  all  proved 
abortive.  In  1607  an  hundred  men  were  fent  over 
to  Sagadahock,  with  furniture  to  lay  the  founda- 
tion of  a  great  ftate,  and  all  lived  through  the  win- 
ter but  their  prefident ;  yet  the  next  year,  **  The 
'^^  whole  colony  breaks  upy  and  returns  to  England, 
"  and  brands  the  country  as  over  cold  and  not  hahi- 
**  talk  by  ottr  nation^  and  the  adventurers  give  over 
^'  their  defign-f."  Other  fruitlefs  attempts  were 
made  for  a  while,  and  then  were  given  over.  "  Sir 
*'  Ferdinando  Gorges  and  Captain  Mafon  fpenc 
"  twenty  thoufand  pounds  each,  in  attempts  for 
"  fettlement,  and  each  of  them  thought  it  advifeable 
"  to  give  over  their  defigns,  and  fit  down  with  the 
*'  lofs.  Whether  Britain  would  have  had  any  colo- 
**  nies  in  America  at  this  day,  if  religion  had  not 
"  been  the  grand  inducement,  is  doubtful  J." 

F  The 

^-  Princess  Chronology,  p.  '6,  38.     f  Ibid.  p.  zi— 2;. 
\  Malvachufsm  Hiilory,  vsl.  i,  p.  ■?. 


34,      pilSTORY   OF   THE    BAPTrsrS 

The  people  whofe  religious  fentiments  are  dc-^ 
fcribed  above,  after  long  confideration,  many  earncfl 
requefts  to  heaven  for  direftion  and  help,  and  well 
confulting  matters  with  Englifh  friends,  at  laft  de- 
termined to  Gome  over  to  this  wildernefs  -,  and  divine 
providence  made  them  the  honored  inftruments  of 
laying  the  foundation  of  this  now  flourifhing  coun- 
try. In  December,  1617,  Mr.  Robinfon  and  Elder 
Brcwfter  wrote  to  the  Council  for  Virginia,  who  then 
had  the  management  of  thefe  affairs,  wherein  they 
fay,  "  For  your  encouragement  wc  will  not  'forbear 
to  mention  thele  inducements,  i.  We  verily 
believe  and  truft  the  Lord  is  with  us  ;  to  whom 
and  whofe  fervice  we  have  given  ourfelves  in  many 
trials,  and  that  he  will  gracioufly  profper  our  en- 
deavours according  to  the  fimplicity  of  our  hearts. 
2.  We  are  well  weaned  from  the  delicate  milk 
of  our  mother  country,  and  inured  to  the  diffi- 
culties of  a  ftrange  land.  3.  The  people  are,  for 
the  body  of  them,  induftrious  and  frugal,  we  think 
we  may  fafely  fay,  as  any  company  of  people  in 
the  world.  4.  We  are  knit  together  as  a  body,  in 
a  moft  ftrift  and  facred  bond  and  covenant  of  the 
Lord  ;  of  the  violation  whereof  we  make  great 
confcience,  and  by  virtue  whereof  we  hold  our- 
felves ftrifUy  tied  to  all  care  of  each  other's  good, 
and  of  the  whole.  5.  It  is  not  with  us  as  with 
other  m«n  ;  whom  fmall  things  can  difcourage, 
or  fmall  difcouragcments  caufc  to  wilh  ourfelves 
at  home  again  *." 
Herein  they  were  not  miftaken,  as  will  foon  ap- 
pear  •,  for  though  contentions  among  the  faid  Coun- 
cil, and  other  things,  obftrufled  their  proceeding 
till  1620,  and  they  could  not  then  obtain  any  royal 
promife   of  liberty  of  confcience  in  this  country, 

only 
*  Prince,  p.  51,  52, 


[i620.]        IN    NEW-ENGLAND.       35 

only  that  the  King  would  connive  at  them,  and  not 
moletlthem  if  they  carried  it  peaceably,  *'  Yet,  caft- 
*'  ing  themfelves  on    the  care  of  providence,  they 
*'  refolve  to  venture."     But  as  they  could  not  obtain 
flipping   and   provifion  enough   to  carry  half  their 
company  the  firit  year,  Mr.  Robinfon   was  obliged 
to  tarry  in  Holland  with  the  larger  parr,  while  Mr. 
William  Brewller,  their  ruling  elder,  came  over  with 
the  other.      Moft  of  their  brethren  c^me  with  them 
from  Leyden  to  Delph-Haven,   where  they  fpenc 
the  night  in  friendly,  entertaining  and  chridian  con- 
verfe.     And  July  22,  the  wind  being  fair,   they  go 
aboard,  their  friends  attending  them,  when  '*  Mr. 
'*  Robinfon  falling  down  on  his  knees,  and  they  all 
"  with  him,  he  with  watry  cheeks  commends  them 
•*  with  moft  fervent  prayer  to  God  ;  and  then  with 
"  mutual  embraces,  and  many  tears,  they  take  their 
•*  leaves,  and  with  aprofperous  gale  come  toSoLuh- 
*'  ampton,"  in  England.     July  27,  1620,  Mr.  Ro- 
binfon wrote  a  letter,  which  was  received   and  read 
to  the  company  at  that  place*-,   which  I  think  wor- 
thy of  a  place  here.     The  letter  is  as  follows :   , 
"  Loving  chrijiian  Friends^ 
"  I  DO  heartily  and  In  the  Lord  falute  you,  as  be- 
ing thofe  with  whom  I  am  prefent  in  my  bcil  affec- 
tions, and  moft  earneft  longing  after  you,  though  I 
be  conftrained  for  a  while  to  be  bodily  abfent  from 
you  :  I  fay  conftrained  j  God  knowing  how  willing- 
ly,, and  much  rather  than  otherwife,    1  would   have 
born  my  part  with  you  in  the  firft  brunt,  were  I  not 
by.ftrong  neceflity  held  back  for  the  prefent.     Make 
account  of  me  in  the  mean  time  as  a  man  divided  in 
myfelf,  with   great  pain   (and  as  natural  bonds  [^z 
qfide)  having  my  better  part  with  you  •,  and  although 
I  doubt  not,  but  in  your  godly  wifdoms  you  both 
F  2  forefee 

•  Prince,  p.  70,  71, 


U    HISTOkY   dF   THE   BAPTISTS 

forefee  and  refolve  upon  that  which  conceriieth  yoo^ 
prefent  flate  And  (;!ondicion,  both  feverally  and  ^ 
jointly,  yet  have  I  thought  it  but  my  duty  ro  add 
fome  further  fpur  of  provocation  unto  them  who  run 
already,  if  not  becaufe  you  heed  it,  yet  bccaufe  I 
owe  it  in  love  and  duty. 

"  AN^a  firft,  as  we  are  daily  to  renew  our  repent- 
ince  with  our  God,  efpecially  for  our  fins  known, 
and  generally^for  our  unknown  trefpafles  -,  fo  doth 
the  Lord  call  us  in  z  fingular  manner,  upon  ocean 
fions  of  fuch  difHcuhy  and  danger  as  lieth  upon  you, 
to  both  a  narrow  fearch  and  careful  reformation  in 
liis  fight,  left  he  calling  to  remembrance  our  fins 
forgotten  by  us,  or  unrepented  of,  take  advantage 
againft  us,  and  in  judgment  leave  us  to  be  fwallovv- 
ed  up  in  one  d^iger  or  other ;  whereas,  on  thb- 
tohtrary,  fin  being  taken  away  by  earneft  repent- 
ance, and  the  pardon' thereof  from  the  Lord  fealed 
Ajp  to  a  man's  confciencc  by  his  fpirit,  great  fhall  be 
his  fecurity  and  peace  in  all  dangers,  fweet  his  com- 
forts in  all  diftrefTes,  with  happy  deliverance  from 
all  evil,  whether  in  life  or  death,  Now  next  after 
this  heavenly  peace  with  God  and  our  own  con- 
fciences,  we  are  carefully  to  proviide  for  peace  with 
;all  men,  what  in  us  lieth,  efpecially  with  oUr 
affociates  •,  and  for  that,  watchfulnefs  muft  be  had, 
that  we  neither  at  all  ourfclves  do  give,  no,  nor  ea- 
fily  take  offence  being  given  by  others.  PF'o  he  to  the- 
K^jorld  for  offences^  for  although  it  be  necelTary,  con- 
iidering  the  malice  of  Satan  and  man's  corruption, 
that  offsnces  come^  yet  '^^o  unio  tke  mar:,  or  ^oman 
either,  l^y  whom  the  offence  ccmeiby  faith  Chrift,  Matt. 
:xviii.  '/.  And  if  offences  in  the  unfeafonable  ufe  of 
things,  in  themfelves  indifferent,  be  more  to  be 
feared  than  death  itfelf,  as  the  apoftle  teacheth,  t 
Cor.i:?.  15,  how  much  siore  in  things  {imply  evil, 

in 


[i620.]         IN   NEW -EN  GLAND.      37 

)n  which  neither  the  honor  of  God  nor  iove  of  man 
is  thought  worthy  to  be  regarded  ?    Neither  yet  i-5 
it  fufficient  that  we  keep  ourleives,  by  the  grace  <>£ 
God,   froni   giving  offences,  except   >^'ithal  we  bt 
armed  againft  the  taking  of  them,  when  they  ar^ 
■given  by  others  •,  for  how  i'mperfeft  and  lame  is  th« 
v^ork  of  grace  in  that  perfon,  who  wants  charity  to 
tover  a'-tnuUHude  of  cffentes?  as  the  fcfipture  fpeaks. 
Neither  are  yon  to  be  exhorted  ro  this  grace  only 
cpon  the  common  grounds  of  chnftiasity,  which 
ai^,  that  perfons  ready  to  take  offence,  either  wane 
xharity  to  cover  o(fences,  or  duly  to  weigh  human 
^frailti«s=i  or,  lafcly,  are  grofs  though  clofe  hypo- 
crites, asChrifl  our  Lord  teacheth,  Matt.  vii.  1 — 3  % 
as  indeed,  in  my  own  experience,  few  or  none  have 
lieen  found  which  fooner  give  offence,  than  luch  as 
cafily  take  it ;  neither  have  they  ever  proved  loun-d 
^^nd  profitable  members  in  focicties,  who  have  now- 
rifhed  this  touchy  humour.     But  befides  thefe^  ihere 
are  divers  motives  provoking  you  above  others  ta 
great  care  and  confcience  this  way,  as  firft,  there 
^re  many  of  you  ftrangers  to  the  perfons,  fo  to  the 
infirmitiesof  one  another,  ^nd  fo  ftand  in  need  of 
more  watchfuJnefs  this  way,  lell  whcnTuch   things 
fall  out  in  men  and   women  as  you  expefted  nor> 
v*you  be  inordinately  affefted  with  them,  -which-duth 
require  at  your  hands  much  wifdom  and  charity  for 
tht   covering  and  preventing  of  incident  offences 
that -way.     And  hftly,  your  intended  courfe  of  civil 
trommunity  will  minifter  continual  occafion  of  of- 
fence*, 'and  will  be 'as  fuel  for  that  fire,  except  you 
•■diHgehtly' watch  it' with  brotherly  forbearance.     And 
if  taking  offence  caufelefsly  or  eafily  at  men's  doings 

be 

•  for  feveral  yeaTS  their  affairs  were  managed  in  one  cofti'- 
"Won  "Ifbek,  but  t"hey  af tcrNjf afd'  feun'd  the  v/ay  of  4iftin£l  pr6j)ii> 
tyto  be  much  better. 


38    HISTORY  of   the   BAPTISTS 

be  (o  carefully  to  be  avoided ;  how  much  more  heed 
is  to  be  taken  that  we  take  not  offence  at  God  him- 
felf  ?  Which  yet  we  certainly  do,  fo  oft  as  we  do 
murmur  at  his  providences  in  our  crofles,  or  bear 
impatiently  fuch  affliftions  wherewith  he  is  pleafed 
to  vifit  us.  Store  up  therefore  patience  againft  the 
evil  day  ;  without  which  we  take  offence  at  the 
Lord  himfelf  inhisjuft  works.  A  fourth  thing 
there  is  carefully  to  be  provided  for,  viz.  that  wich 
your  common  employments,  you  join  common  af- 
feftions,  truly  bent  upon  the  general  good,  avoid- 
ing as  a  deadly  plague  of  your  both  common  and 
fpecial  comforts,  all  retircdnefs  of  mind  for  proper 
advantage  ;  and  all  fingularly  affefted  every  manner 
of  way,  let  every  man  reprefs  in  himfelf,  and  the 
whole  body  in  each  perfon,  as  fo  many  rebels  againft 
the  common  good,  all  private  refpsols  of  men's  f elves, 
not  forting  with  the  general  convenience.  And  as 
men  are  careful  not  to  have  a  new  houfefhaken  with 
any  violence,  before  it  be  well  fettled,  and  the  parts 
firmly  knit  •,  fo  be  you,  I  befeech  you  my  brethren, 
much  more  careful  that  the  houfe  of  God,  which  you 
are  and  are  to  be,  be  fhaken  with  unneccffary  no- 
velties, or  other  oppofitions,  at  the  firft  fctthng 
thereof. 

"  Lastly,  whereas  you  are  to  become  a  body 
politic,  ufing  amongft  yourfelves  civil  government, 
and  are  not  furniflied  with  fpecial  eminency  above 
the  reft,  to  be  chofen  by  you  into  office  ot  govern- 
ment, let  your  wifdom  and  godlinefs  appear,  not  on- 
ly in  choofmg  fuch  perfons  as  do  entirely  love,  and 
will  promote  the  common  good  -,  but  alfo  in  yield- 
ing unto  them  all  due  honor  and  obedience  in  their 
lawful  adminiftrations,  not  beholding  in  them  the 
ordinarinefs  of  their  perfons,  but  God's  ordinance 
for  your  ^ood ;  not  being  like  the  fooliih  multitude, 

'      .     '  who 


li6io.]        IN  NEW-ENGLAND.       39 

who  more  honor  the  gay  coat,  than  either  the  virtu- 
ous mind  of  the  man,  or  the  glorious  ordinance  of 
the  Lord  •,  but  you  know  better  things,  and  that  th« 
image  of  the  Lord's  power  and  authority,  which  the 
magillrate  beareth,   is  honorable,  in  how  mean  per- 
fon  loever  i  and  this  dwty  you  may  the   more  wil- 
lingly, and  ought  the  more  confcionably  to  perform, 
becaufe  you  are,  at  lead  for  the   prefent,  to  have 
them  for  your  ordinary  governors,  which  yourfelves 
fhaU  make  choice  of  for  that  work.     Sundry  other 
things  of  importance  1  could  put  you    in  mind  of, 
and  ofthofe  before  mentioned,  in  more  words  -,  buc 
I  will  not  fo  far  wrong  your  godly  minds,  as  to  think 
you   heedlefs    of  thefc   things,    there   being    alfo 
divers  amongfl:  you  fo  well  able  both   to  admonidi 
themfelves   and  others   of  what  concerncth  them. 
Thefe  few  things  therefore,  and  the  fame   in   few 
words,  I  do  earneftly  commend   to  your  care  and 
confcience,  joining  therein  with   my  daily  inceflanc 
prayers  unto  the  Lord,  that    he  who    has    made 
the  heavens   and  the  earth,  and  fea,    and  all   ri- 
vers of  water,  and  whofe  providence  is  over  all  his 
works,  efpecially  over  all  his  dear  children  for  good, 
would  fo  guide  and  guard  you  in  your  ways,  as  in- 
wardly by  his  lj)irit.,  fo  outwardly  by  the  hand  of  his 
power,  as  that  both  you,  and  we  alfo  for  and  with 
you,  may  have  after  matter  of  praifing  his  name  all 
the  days  of  your  and  our  lives.     Fare  you  well  in 
him  in  whom  you  truft,  and  in  whom  I  reft,  an  un- 
feigned  well-wifher  to  your  happy   fuccefs    in  this 
hopeful  voyage,  Jouu  Robinson*." 

This  excellent  letter  properly  defcribes  the  fenti- 
ments,  temper  and  rules  of  condud:  of  the  chief 
founders  of  New-  England  -,  and  may  the  fame  be 
duly  regarded  to  their  lateftpofterity  ! 

,     By 

"  Morton,  p.  y—io. 


!^^     HtStORt   CF   THE   BAPTlStS 

By  Dutch  intrigues  and  other's  ill  conduft  thcj^ 
\yere  hindered  long,  and  at  laft  forced  to  come 
with  only  one  fhip  inftead  of  two,  which  failed  from 
Plymouth,  in  England,  on  September  6,  and  arriv- 
ed in  Cape-Cod  harbour  November  ii,  and  at  the 
place  which  they  named  Plymouth,  in  December, 
1620. 

And  now  compare  this  company  with  that  of  Sa- 
gadahock.  That  company,  who  came  upon  worldly 
clefigns,  had  an  hundred  men  •,  this  religious  fociety 
confifted  of  but  one  hundred  and  one  fouls,  men, 
women,  and  children  -,  the  one  arrived  at  the  place 
(jefigned  for  fettlement  in  Auguft,  the  other  not 
till  winter  had  fet  in  t  The  worldly  company 
only  buried  their  prefident,  and  all  returned  the 
next  year  to  their  native  country  again  ;  where- 
as this  religious  people,  in  about  five  months  time, 
buried  their  governor  and  full  half  their  number^ 
^nd  yet  with  fortitude  and  patience  they  kept  theif 
ftation  ;  yea,  though  they  were  afterwards  deferted 
and  abufed  by  fome  who  had  engaged  to  help  them. 
We  cannot  now  form  an  adequate  idea  of  what  thofc 
pious  planters  endured,  to  prepare  the  way  for  what 
we  at  this  day  enjoy.  In  the  year  1623  they  fay, 
*'  By  the  time  our  corn  is  planted,  our  vidluals 
*'  are  fpent  *,  not  knowing  at  night  where  to  have 
^^  a  bit  in  the  morning,  and  have  neither  bread 
•'  nor  corn  for  three  or  four  months  together  -, 
^*  yet  bear  our  wants  with  chearfulnefs,  and  reft  on 
*'  providencj'*." 

It  pleafed  God  further  to  try  their  faith,  by  fend- 
ing a  great  drought  ard  heat  from  the  third  week  in 
May  till  the  middle  of  July,  which  caufed  their  corn 
to  wither  as  if  it  were  trtdy  dead-,  and  a  fhip  that  they 
bad  long  cxpe<fted  did  not  arrive,  but  they  thcnghc 

they 


*  Frlnce,  p.  i^,% 


{i-624-i      IN    NEW-ENGLANt).        4^ 

tliey  faw  figns  of  its  being  wrecked  on  the  ccftffs. 
"  The  moft  courageous  are  now  dilcouragedl 
**  Upon  this  the  public  authority  let  apart  a  lolcmrt 
'*'  day  of  humiliation  and  pravcr,  to  ftek  the  Lord 
*'  in  this  diftrefs,  who  was  plt-afed  to  give  fj  eedy 
**  anfvver,  to  cur  own  and  the  Indians  a*  miration  j 
"  for  though  in  the  former  part  ot  the  day  it  v  as 
^*  very  clear  and  hot,  without  a  fign  of  rain,  ycc 
^'  before  the  exercife  is  over  the  clouds  gainer,  and 
*'  neixt  morning  diftil  luch  fofc  and  gent  e  fhowers 
"  as  give  caufe  of  joy  and  praile  to  G«  d."  Theif- 
corn  recovers,  and  foon  after  arrives  the  Ihip 
they  expecfled,  bringing  over  abcui  fixty  more  of 
their  ftiends,  and  a  letter  from  others^  whete-.n  hey 
fay  to  thofe  here,  *'  Let  it  not  be  grievous  to  you;, 
*'  that  you  have  been  inftruments  to  break  the  ice 
**  for  others  who  come  after  with  lefs  difficulty  : 
**  The  honor  fhali  be  yours  to  the  world's  end.  Wc 
**  bear  you  always  in  our  breads,  and  our  hearty 
*'  affeftion  is  towards  you  all,  as  are  the  hearts  of 
"*'  hundreds  more  who  never  faw  your  fares,,  who 
"^  doubtlefs  pray  for  your  fiifety  as  their  own*.'* 
Their  harveft  was  plentiful  -,  and  above  twenty- 
years  after  Governor  Bradford  fays,  "  Nor  has 
*'  there  been  any  general  ^  want  of  food  among  ua 
*'  fmce  to  this  dayf." 

Mr.  Robinfon  and  many  of  his  people  werfe 
detained  in  Holland,  till,  after  about  a  week's 
illnefs,  he  died  there  on  March  i,  1625,  ag^d  near 
50  years.  Governor  Bradford  fays,  "  His  and 
"  our  enen  ies  had  been  continually  plotting  how 
"  they  might  hinder  his  coming  hither,  but  the 
*'  Lord  has  appointed  him  a  better  place."  Mr. 
Prince  fays,  "  His  fon  Ifaac  came  over  to  Plymouth 

G  colony, 

*  Prince,  p.  137**- 140.    f  Ibid.  p.  I41, 


41     HISTORY  OF   TrtE   BAPTISTS 

"  colony,  lived  to  above  90  years  of  age,  a  venC* 
"  rable  man,  whom  I  have  often  feen,  and  has 
*'  left  male  poflcrity  in  the  county  of  Barnftable  *.'* 

The  caufe  why  Mr.  Robinfon  and  the  remaining 
part  of  his  church  were  kept  back  fo  long,  was  their 
inability  to  tranfport  themfelves,  and  fevcral  mer- 
chants who  had  engaged  in  the  affair  deferted  them^ 
purfuing  feparate  fchemes  of  their  own,  and  fent 
over  one  company  of  fixty  flout  men,  who  began  a 
plantation  at  Weymouth  ;  but  loon  reduced  them- 
felves to  fuch  flraits  that  feveral  perifhed,  and  the 
reft  were  forced  to  be  beholden  to  the  charity  of 
Plymouth  people,  to  keep  them  alive  till  they  could 
get  back  whence  they  came.  Another  worldly 
fcheme  was  begun  at  Braintree,  which  alio  proved 
abortive,  while  our  chriflian  fathers  at  Plymouth 
were  enabled  to  keep  their  ftation.  And  fome  of 
the  adventurers  wrote  to  them  on  December  18, 
1624,  and  laid,  "  We  are  fllll  perfuadcd  you  are 
*'  the  people  that  muft  make  a  plantation  in  thofe 
*'  remote  places,  when  all  others  fail-f-."  They  were 
long  defticuce  of  a  paftor,  and  yet  conftantly  main- 
tained divine  worfliip  among  them,  of  which  a 
hoted  author  gives  this  account ;  fays  he,      .    ,.< 

*•  To  fatisfy  the  reader,  how  a  chriftian  church 
*'  could,  in  any  tolerable  meafure,  carry  on  thepub- 
"  lie  worfliip  of  God  without  fuitable  officers,  as 
"  was  the  cafe  of  thofe  people  of  Plymouth,  we 
"  muft  know  that  thofe  were  a  ferious  and  religious 
"  people,  that  knew  their  own  principles'-^knew 
*'  and  were  refojved  on  the  way  of  their  worfhip, 
*'  but  in  many  years  could  not  prevail  with  any  to 
"  come  over  to  them,  and  undertake  the  office  of  a 
"  paftor  amongft  them,  at  leaft  none  in  whom  they 

"  could 

♦  Prince,  p.  159,  i6o,    f  Ibid.  p.  15J. 


[i6t4..'j      IN    NEW^  ENGL  AND.        4| 

**  could  with  full  fatisfadlion  acquiefce,  and  there- 
**  fore  in  the  mean  while  they  were  peaceably  and 
*'  prudently  managed  by  the  wifdom  of  Mr. 
*'  Brewfter,  a  grave  and  ferious  perfon — ruling 
**  elder  among  them.  Befides  alfo  feveral  of  his 
**  people  were  well  gifted,  and  did  fpend  part  of 
**  the  Lord's  day  in  their  wonted  prophefying,  to 
*'  which  they  had  been  accuftomed  by  Mr.  Robin- 
■*'  fon.  Thofe  gifts  while  they  lafted  made  the 
**  burthen  of  the  other  defe<5l  more  eafily  born*." 

The  names  of  thofe  firft  planters  were,  John  Car- 
ver William  Bradford,  Edward  Winflow,  fuccefnve 
Governors;  William  Brewfter,  elder-,  Captain  Miles 
Standi/h,  Robert  Culhman,  John  Alden,  Samuel 
Fuller,  Richard  Warren,  Stephen  Hopkins,  and 
others,  each  of  whom  have  pofterity  remaining' 
among  us  to  this  day.  "  I  am  not  preferving  from 
**  oblivion  the  names  of  Keroes,  whofe  chief  merit 
*^  is  the  overthrow  of  cities,  provinces  and  empires ; 
'*  but  thenamesof  the  founders  of  a  flburifhingtown 
**  and  colony,  if  not  of  the  v/hole  Britilh  empire  in 
*'  America-f."  Th^ivdeeppoverty^andthe abundance  of 
their  joy^  abounded  unto  tbe  riches  of  their  libera  If  ty^  Co  as 
not  only  to  enablethem  to  relieve  many  indiftrefs,  but 
alfo  to   launch   out  fo  as  to   help  over  about  ^^ 

■*  Hubbard  Mr.  Robinfon  fays,  "  The  diFciples  of  ChrHl 
**  did  not  then  firft  receive  power  to  teach  when  they  were 
*'  poffefred  of  their  apoftleflaip,  but  long  before  they  were  ad- 
*'  mittcd  into  office,  as  did  others  alfo  befides  them,  without 
*'  office,  as  well  as  they,  Matt.  x.  5,  6,  7,  Lukex.  i  —  3,  9, 10." 
Jlx/wsr  to  Bernard,  p.  148.  "  That  we  call  prophefying,  J  affirm 
*'  not  to  be  fo  appropriated  to  the  minifiry,  but  that  others 
*'  having  received  a  gift  thereunto,  may  and  ought  to  ftir  up 
**  the  fame,  and  to  ufe  it  in  the  church,  for  edification,  exhortation 
**  and  comfort,  though  not  yet  called  into  the  office  of  the  mini- 
**  ftry,  Rom.  xii.  6,  i  Cor.  xiv.-3,   i  Pet.  iv.  10,  ii."  p.  z^t;. 

+  Maffachufctts  Hiftory,  vol.  z,  p.  462,  463. 

G  2  families 


4.4     HISTORY    OF    THE   BAPTISTS 

families  more  of  their  fri-ends  from  Leyden,  wh©. 
were  tranfporced  hither  in  1629,  at  the  charge  of 
their  brethren  here,  which  was  chearfully  born  by 
them,  though  it  amounted  to  above  Jive  hundred 
and  fifty  pounds  fierlingj  befides  fupporting  thera 
after  their  arrival  for  i6or  18  months,  till  they  had 
,a  hai;veft  of  their  own,  which  coft  near  as  much 
more.  ''  Mean  while,  fays  Governor  Bradford, 
*'  God  gives  us  peace  and  health,  with  contented 
*'^  minds,  and  fo  fucceeds  our  labours  that  we  have 
*'  coril  fufficient,  and  fome  to  fpare,  with  other  pro- 
'•^  vifions  ;  Nor  had  we  ever  any  fupply  from 
**^  England  but  what  we  firft  brought  with  us*.'* 
The  firft  horned  cattk  that  they  ever  had  here  were 
a  bull  and  three  heifers,  which  Governor  Winflow/ 
brought  over  to  Plymouth  in  Marchj  1624. 

About  that  tinie,  "  the  fame  of  the  plantation 
*'  at  New-Plymouth  bqng  fpread  in  all  the  weftera 
"  parts  of  England,  the  Rev.  Mr.  White,  a  fa- 
"  mous  Puritan  minifter  of  Dorchefter,  excites  fe- 
*'  veral  gertlemen  there  to  make  way  for  another 
"  fettlement  in  New-England -f-"  This  was  the  be- 
ginning of  theMaffachufctts  colony  -,  that  year  a  few 
perfons  who  gathered  at  Cape-Ann,  that  removed 
the  next  year,  and  began  the  town  of  Salem,  to  whon,i 
others  rcforted  from  time  to  time,  till  in  the  fum- 
jner,  1628,  Mr.  John  Endicot  came  over  to  govern 
them;  and  in  1629,  Mr  Francis  Higginfon  and 
Mr.  Samuel  Skelton,  two  Non-conformtft  minifters, 
came  with  many  others,  and  formed  and  organized 
a  church  in  thar  place.  Upon  which  we  may  fee 
Mr.  Robinfon's  words  verified  j  for  thefe  Puritans, 
who  had  blamed  him  for  an  entire  feparation  from 
the  nati  "nal  church,  yet  were  no  fooner  fettled  oa 
this  fide  the  Atlantic,  than  they  caft  off  the  prelates. 

yQke 
•  Prince,  p.  15  6,  201,    f  Jbid,  p.  144. 


[i630.]      IN   NEW-ENGLAND.         45 

yoke  in  fuch  a  manner,  that  when  John  Brown  and 
Samuel  Brown,  cwo  of  the  "  firft  patentees,  men  of 
**  eftates,  and  men  of  parts,"  attempted  to  let  up 
Epilcopal  worfliip  at  Salem,  Govtrnor  Endicot  con^ 
vented  them  before  him,  where  they  *'  accufed 
*'  the  miniilers  as  departing  from  the  orders  of  the 
♦'  church  of  England ;  that  they  were  Se^^ratifts, 
^'  and  would  be  Anabapcifts,  &cc.  but  fortheitifelves 
"  they  would  hold  to  the  orders  of  the  church  of 
*'  England."  Thefe  fpeeches  and  praftices  wenz 
judged  by  the  Governor  and  Council  to  be  luch  as 
tended  "  to  mutiny  and  faction,  and  the  Governor 
*'  told  them,  ihat  New -England  mas  no  -place  for 
"  fiich  as  they^  and  therctore  fent  them  back  for 
^*  England^  at  the  return  of  the  fliips,  the  fame 
♦'  year*." 

By  this  and  many  ether  inflances  we  may  fee, 
that  the  men  who  drew  off  from  the  national  efta- 
blilhmeut,  as  foon  as  they  were  convinced  t-liat  truth 
called  thf  m  to  it,  were  not  fo  fevere  againft  DilTcnt- 
(srs  from  themfelvcs,  as  they  were  who  flayed  till 
intereft  and  civil  power  would  favour  the  caufe  be- 
fore they  ieparated. 

In  the  year  1630,  Governor  Winthrop  with 
about  fifteen  hundred  people  came  over,  and  plant- 
ed Charleftown,  BoUon,  Uorchefter,  and  Water- 
town,  and  foon  formed  churches  in  each  town.  Of 
thefe  people  Mr.  Hubbard  fays,  "  Intending  not 
*'  to  write  an  apology,  but  an  hiftory  of  their  prac- 
*'  tice,  nothing  lliall  here  be  interpofed  by  way  of 
*'  defence  of  their  way,  only  to  give  a  clear  difco- 
*'  very  of  the  truth,  as  to  matter  of  faft,  both  what 
"  it^Xvas  at  firft,  and  ftill  continues  to  be.  Thofethat 
"  came  over  foon  after  Mr.-  Endicot,  namely  Mr. 
5'  Higginfon  and  Mr.  Skelton,  Anno.  1629,  walked 

"  fomething 

*  Morton'^  Memorial,  p.  84,  85. 


4«     HiSTQRY  or    the   BAJPTISTS 

'*  fomething  in  an  untrodden  path,  therefore  it  14 
**  the  lefs  to  be  wondered  at,  if  they  went  in  and 
^'  out  i  in  fome  things  complying  too  much,  in  fome 
^'  too  little,  with  thofe  of  the  feparation  ;  and  it 
**  may  be  in  fome  things  not  fufficiently  attending 
^'  to  the  order  of  the  gofpel,  as  themfelves  thought 
^'  thej^/underftood  afterwards,  For  in  the  begin- 
*'  ning  of  things  they  only  accepted  of  one  another 
^*  according  to  fome  general  -prof effion  of  the  doc- 
**  trine  of  the  gofpel,  and  the  honed  and  good  in- 
*'  tentions  they  had  one  towards  another,  and  fo  by 
<*  fome  kind  of  covenant  foon  moulded  themfelves 
^*  into  a  church  in  every  plantation  where  Ithey  took; 
*«  up  their  abode  *i  until  Mr.  Cotton  and  Mr. 
*'  Hooker  eameover,  which  was  in  the  year  1633, 
**  who  did  clear  up  the  order  and  method  of 
**  church  government,  according  as  they  apprehend- 
*^  ed  was  mod  confonant  to  the  word  of  God. 
^'  And  fuch  was  the  authority  they,  efpecially  Mr» 
5'  Cotton,  h^d  ir\  the  hearts  of  the   people,  that 

"  whatever 

•  The  povenaHt  of  the  firft  church  Ir  Bofton  was  in  thefe 
words  :  ^ 

'*  In  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jefils  Chrift,  and  in  obedience  tai 
"  his  holy  will  and  divine  ordinance,  we  whofe  names  are 
"  here  underwritten,  being  by  bis  moft  wife  and  good  provi- 
"  dence  brought  together  into  this  part  of  America,  in  the  Bay  of 
**  Mafiachufetts,  and  defirousto  unite  ourfelves  into  onecongre- 
*'  gation  or  church,  under  the  Lord  Jefiis  Chrift  our  head,  ia 
*'  fuch  fort  as  becometh  all  thofe  whom  he  hath  redeemed  and 
•'  fanftified  to  himfelf,  do  hereby  folemnly  and  religioufly  (as 
**  in  his  moft  holy  prefence)  promife  and  bind  ourfelves  to  walk 
*'  in  all  our  ways  according  to  the  rule  of  the  gofpel,  and  in  all 
**  fincere  conformity  to  his  holy  ordinances,  and  in  mutual  love 
**■  and  refpeft  each  to  other,  fo  near  as  God  (hall  give  us  grace. 

John  Wikthrop, 
Thomas  Dudley^ 
Isaac  Johnson, 
John  \Vilson  "  &:c. 
Mr.  Tcxcrtift'i  Century  Sernttn  ia  Bcfiov^ 


[i6^6.]        lU    NEW-ENGLAND.      47 

•'  whatever  he  delivered  in  the  pulpit  was  foon  put 
**  into  an  order  of  courtj  if  of  a  civil,  or  fet  up  as 
**  a  prai^ice  in  the  churchy  if  of  an  ecclefiallical 
•'  concernment.  After  that  time,  the  adminiftra- 
*'  tion  of  all  ecclefiaftical  matters  was  tyed  up  mor® 
"  ftridly  than  before  to  the  rules  of  that  which  is 
*'  fince  owned  for  the  Congregational  way.—- Thr. 
'*  principal  points  wherein  they  differ  from  others 
*^  may  be  reduced  to  thefe  four  heads  : 

"  I.  The  iubjedl  matter  of  the  church,  faints  by 
"  calling :    Such  as  have   not    only  attained   th«^ 
*'  knowledge  of  the  principles  of  religionj  and  free 
**  from  grofs  and  open  fcandal,  but  are  willing,  to- 
"  gether  v/ith  the  profeflion   of  their   repentance 
**  and  faith  in  Chrift,  to  declare  their  fubjedtion  to 
**  him  in  his  ordinances,  which  they  account  ought 
"  to  be  done  publicly  before  the  Lord  and  his  peo- 
*'  pie,    by  an  open  profeffion  of  the  doftrine  of  the 
*'  gofpel,  and  by  a  perfonal  relation  of  their  fpirituat 
"  efiate^  cxpreflive  of  how  they  were    brought   to 
"  the  knowledge  of  God  by  faith  in  Chrift  Jefus  1 
"  and  this  is  dorte  either  with  their  'viva  voce^  or  by 
**  arehearfal  thereof  by  the  elders  in  public  before 
*'  the  church  afiembly,    they   having  beforehand 
*'  received  private  fatisfa<ftion,   the  perfons  openly 
"  teftifying  their  aifents  thereunto,  provided  they 
*'  do  not  fcandalize  their  profeffion   by  an   unchri- 
"  ftian  converfation,   in  which  cafe  a  profcflion  is 
"  with  them  of  fmall  account. 

"  2.  In  the  conftitutive  form  of  at  particular  viO» 
''  ble  church,  which  they  account  ought  to  be  a  re- 
*'  ftipulation,  or  mutual  covenanting  to  walk  toge- 
*'  ther  in  their  chriftian  communion,  according  toi 
"  the  rules  of  the  gofpel  ;  and  this  they  fay  is  beft 
*'  to  be  explicit,  although  they  do  not  deny  but 
*'  an  impUcit  covenant  may  fafficc  to  the  being  of 
V  a  true  church. 

"  3.  Iff 


4t     HISTORY  OF   tHE   BAt*TlSTS 

"  3.  In' the  quantity  or  extenfivenefs  of  a  paf^ 
'"'  ticular  church,  concerning  which  they  hold  that 
''  no  church  fociety,  of  gofpel  inftitution,  ought  to 
"  be  of  larger  extent,  or  greater  number,  than  may; 
"  ordinarily  meet  together  in  one  place,  for  the 
"  enjoyment  of  all  the  fame  numerical  ordinance?, 
*'  and  celebrating  of  all  divine  worfliip,  nor  ordi- 
"  narily  fewer  than  may  conveniently  carry  on 
**  church  work. 

"  4.  That  there  is  no  jurifdiftion,  to  which  as 
"  fuch  particular  churches  ate  or  ought  to  be 
*'  fubjeft,  be  it  placed  in  clafTes  o;  fynod,  by  way 
"  of  authoritative  cerifure,  nor  any  church  power, 
*'  extrinfical  to  the  faid  church,  which  vhey  ought 
"  to  have  dependence  upon  any  other  fort  of  men 
**  for  the  exercife  of. 

"  After  this  manner  have  their  ecclefiaftical 
"  affairs  been  carried  on  ever  fince  the  year  1633,'* 
that  is,  down  to  1680,  when  Mr.  Hubbard  wrote 
his  hirtory.    . 

Here  let  it  be  well  obferved  and  ever  remember- 
ed, that  thefe  were  the  main  points  wherein  they 
differed  from  others  ;  and  the  reader  is  welcome  to 
fearch  through  all  their  hiftory  -from  that  day  to 
this,  and  fee  if  he  can  find  that  thefe  principles,  in 
themfelves  confidered,  ever  produced  any  evil 
effefts  ;  but  this  people  brought  two  other  princi- 
ples with  them  from  their  native  country,  in  which 
they  did  not  differ  from  others ;  which  are,  that 
natural  birth,  and  the  doings  of  men,  can  bring 
children  into  the  covenant  of  grace  ;  and,  that  it  is 
right  to  enforce  and  iupport  their  own  feniim.ents 
about  religion  with  the  magijlrate's  fword.  And 
thofe,  let  them  live  in  England,  Scotland,  Rom^, 
or  elfewhere,  who  reproach  and  condemn  New- 
England   for  tlic  evils  which  thefe  two  principles 

have 


tV^5 1 .  J        iwNEW-ENGLAN  t).       ^^ 

liave  produced,  Vvhile  they  hold  the  fame  things, 
ought  to  confider  that  in  fo  doing  they  will  be  found 
'ineifcuJabU  before  our  great  jui!>©e. 

The  root  of  a  compul^ve  uniformity  was  planted 
'at  a  General  GouTC  in  Boilon,  M^y  i8,  1631,  when 
it  was  "  ordered  and  agreed,  that  for  the  time  to 
*^  corhe,  no  man  fhall  be  admitted  to  the  freedom 
"  of  this  B&dy  fdUtic^  but  fuch  as  are  members  of 
"  fome  of  the  churches  within  the  limit*  of  the 
**  f^me*."  This  teft  in  after  times  had  fuch  in- 
fluence, that  he  who  "  did  not  conform,  was  de- 
*'  prived  of  more  civil  privileges  than  a  Non-con- 
**  formift  is  deprived  of  by  the  tell  in  England. 
*'  Both  the  one  and  the  other  muft  have  occafioned 
*'  rriuch  formality  and  hypocrify.  The  myfteries 
*'  of  our  holy  religion  have  been  proftituted  to  mers 
*'  fccukr  views  and  advantages -f," 

It  in  any  mftances  this  people  caVried  their  zeal 

^d  a  greater  feverity  than  Epiicopalians  have  ofteii 

done,  let  it  be  remembered,  that  the  latter  hold  a 

power  in  their  church  to  decree  rites  and  ceremonies^ 

and  fo  confequcntly  a  power  to  abate  or  alter  the 

fame  as  occafion  fuits  \  but  the  fathers  of  the  Maf- 

faehufetts  h(^ld  the  fcriptures  to  be  their  unalterable 

rule,  and  having  formed  a  plan  which  thty  thought  was 

truly  fcripturai.  Captain  johnfon  in  1651  faid,  "To 

**  them  It  feems  unrearonable,ahd  to  favour  too  much 

*'  of  hypocrify,  that  any  people  Ihouldpray  unto  the 

'*  Lord  for  the  fpeedy  accomplifhment  of  his  word 

*'  in  the  overthrow  of  Antichrift,   and  in  the  mean 

"  time   become   a,  patron  to  finful  opinions  and 

"  damnable  errors  that  oppofe  the  truths  of  Chrift, 

'^'  admit  it  be  but  in  the  bare  permifTion  of  them  J.'*  ' 

Hence  it  ilppears,  that  it  was  this  erroneous  notion 

*  Prince's  Annals,  p.  28,  29.     f  MaiTadiufetts  Hiftory,  vol. 
T,  p.  431.     \  johnfon's  Hiftory,  p.  206. 

H  cf 


^o      HISTORY  OF   THE   BAPTISTS 

of  iifmg  carnal  weapons  againft  what  they  looked 
upon  falfe  opinions,  that  ought  to  bear  the  blame 
and  reproach  of  thofe  perfecutionSj  and  not  their 
particular  religious  denomination,  nor  any  of  their 
zeal  to  promote  religion  by  gofpel  means  and  me- 
thods. 

That  they  were  not  aware  how  iinfcripturally 
they  had  confounded  church  and  ftate  together^ 
appears  from  many  fa(5ts.  They  were  fo  much 
concerned  to  keep  them  diftind,  that  in  1632  the 
church  of  Bofton  wrote  to  the  elders  and  brethren 
of  the  churches  of  Plymouth,  Salem,  &c.  for  their 
advice  in  three  queftions  -,  i.  Whether  one  perfon 
might  be  a  civil  magillrate  and  a  ruling  elder  at  the 
jame  time  ?  2.  If  not,  then  which  fhould  they  lay 
down  ?  3.  Whether  there  might  be  divers  paftors 
in  the  fame  church  ?  The  firit  was  agreed  by  all 
negatively  •,  the  other  two  doubtful*.  In  confe- 
quence  of  which  Mr.  Nowel  refigned  his  office  of 
ruling  elder,  to  which  he  had  been  ordained  in  the 
church,  to  hold  thole  of  a  magiftrate  and  fecretary 
in  the  ftate.  Hubbard.  On  the  other  hand,  Mr, 
John  Doan,  having  been  formerly  chofen  to  the 
office  of  deacon  in  the  church  of  Plymouth,  at  his 
and  the  church's  requeft,  he  was  freed  from  the 
office  of  affiilant  in  the  commonwealth f. 

Again  our  late  Governor  fays,  *'  1  fuppofe  there 
had  been  no  inftance  of  a  marriage  lawfully  cele- 
brated by  a  layman  in  England,  when  they  left  it. 
1  believe  there  was  no  inftance  of  marriage  by  a 
clergyman  after  they  arrived,  during  their  charter; 
but  it  was  always  done  by  a  magiftrate,  or  by  per- 
fons  fpecially  appointed  for  that  purpofe.  It  is 
difficult  to  aflign  a  reafon  for  fo  fudden  a  change  J.'* 

1  hap- 

•  Prince's  Annals,  p,  64      f  Ibid,  p,  92, 
J  MalTachiifetts  Hidory,  vol.  i,  p.  i ;)<].. 


[i6s3'l       IN  NEW-ENGLAND.       51 

I  happened  to  obferve  a  pafTage  in  Mr.  Robinfon 
\yhich  I  fuppofe  gives  us  the  true  reafon  of  that 
great  change.  Mr.  Bernard  had  charged  the  Sepa- 
ratifts  with  an  error,  which  he  laid  they  had  given 
neither  reafon  nor  fcripture  for,  in  holding  thafe 
minijiars  may  not  celebrate  marriage^  nor  bury  the  dead.. 
To  which  Mr.  Robinfon  anfvvers, 

"  In  our  third   petition  to  the  King,  and   the- 
*'  fourth    branch  of  the  fixth   propofition,   there 
"  are     almoft     twenty     feveral    fcriptures,     and 
"  nine  diftinft  reafons   grounded    upon  them,    to 
"  prove,  that  the  celebration  of  marriage,  and  bu- 
**  rial  of  the  dead,  are  not  ecckfufiical  aftions,  apper- 
*'  taining  to  the  minijiry^  but  civiU  and  fo   to  be 
*'  performed.     The  apoftle  teftifieth  that  i\\Q  fcrip- 
'*  /«r^j,  being  divinely  infpired,do  mzkt  perfe^,  and 
"  /«/6'  furnijhed^   the  man  of  God,  or  minifter,   ta 
**  every  good  work  of  his  calling.     Now  I  fuppofe 
"  Mr.  B.  will  not  be  fo  ill  adviled,  as  to  go  about 
"  to  prove  that  the  celebration  of  marriage,  and 
"  burial  of  the  dead,  are  duties  prefcribed  by  the 
"  Lord  Jefus  to  be  done  in  the  pafl:or*s  office,  or 
**  that  the  fcriptures  lay  this  furniture   upon  the 
*'  man  of  God  for  the  proper  works  of  his  office* 
"  They  are  then  other  fpiritual  lords  than  the  Lord 
**  Chrift,  that  prefcribe  thefe  duties  to  be  done  by 
*'  their  men,  furnilhed  by  other  fcriptures  than  tho 
**  divine  fcriptures,  the   Bifhop*s  fcriptures,  their 
*'  canons   and    conftitutions  ;     whereby   they   are 
**  furnilhed  indeed    with  ring,   fervice-book,    and 
"  other   prieftly    implements    for    the  bufinefs*.'' 
This  I  fuppofe  accounts  for  that  change  in  our 
father's  cQndu(ft  then  f  though  it  is  likely  we  are 
agreed  in  general  now,  that  as  it  was  an  error  of 

♦  Juftificauon  of  Separation,  p.  438, 

H  2  Popery 


p^     HISXOIIY  Of    THE   BAFTlSl^a^ 

Popery  to  call  marriage  a  facrament,  and  to  limit 
its  adminiftration  to  the  clergy  ;  fo  on  the  other 
hand  that  it  was  a  miftak-e  in  thofe  fathers  to  think 
that  the  civil  ftate  migKt  not  as  well  appoint  mini- 
sters to  celebrate  marriages  as  any  other  perfons. 

Th£se  and  many  other  things  prove  that  thpfe 
fathers  were  earneftly  concerned  to  frame  their  con- 
iftitution  both  in  church  and  ftat-e  by  divine  rule  •, 
and  as  all  allow  that  nothing  teaches  like  experi- 
ence, furely  they  whp  arc  enabled  well  to  improve 
the  experience  of  paft  age^j  mull  find  it  eafier  now 
to  difcover  the  -mift^kes  of  that  day,  thwiit  was  for 
them  to  do  it  then.  Even  in  1:63.7,  when  a  num- 
\icr  of  P-uritan  minifters  in  England,  and  the  famoua 
Mr.  Dod  among  them,  wrote  to  the  minifters  here, 
that  it  was  reported  that  they  had  embraced  certain 
lievv  opinions,  fuch  as  '-'  that  a  ftinted  form  of 
prayer  and  fet  liturgy  is  unlawful.  That  tlie  cliilr 
(^ren  of  godly  and  approved  chriftians  are  not  to  be 
baptized,  until  their  parents  be  fet  members  of  fom^ 
particular  congregation.  That  th€  parents  them- 
selves, though  of  approved  piety,  are  not  to  be  re- 
ceived to  the  Lord's  (upper  until  they  be  admitted 
fet  members,"  &c.  Mr.  Hooker  exprelTed  his  fear^s 
of  troublefomc  work  about  anfwering  of  them*i 
though,  they  may  appear  eafy  to  the  prefcnt  gene^ 
jation. 

^  IV^aflach^fetts  Hlftory,  vol ,  i ,  p.  8 1, 


C  H  A  F. 


[1^34-}      IN   NEWrENGI^AND.         5^ 


CHAP.     II. 

Mx.  Roger  Williams's  Sentinients  and 
his  Banifhment,  with  other  Affairs  of 

theMaffachufettSjfrom  1 6  34  to  1644. 

f 

MR.  Hubbard  tells  us,  th^t  "Febrvwy  5,  i%i„ 
*'  arrived  Mr.  William  Peirfe  ^c  N^ntaflie,t.& 
*'  wich  him  came  one  M^r.  R^Dger  Williams,  of  gOQi^ 
^'  account  in  England  for  ?.  godly  and  5seaIo,u? 
*'  preacher ; — •.he  had  been  fome  years  en^ployed 
<^'  in  the  miniftry  in  England*,'*  iVccordiiigly  1. 
find  Mr.  Williams  reminding  Mr.  Cotton  of  conv^r- 
fation  he  had,  with  him.  and.  Mr.  Hpoker,  while 
they  were  riding  together,  *-'  to  and  from  Sempringr. 
"  hafn-f."  From  whence  it  appear^  that  NJt. 
Williams  was  acquainted  with  thofe  two  famous 
men,  in  our  n^other  country,  and  the  .fabje^  of 
that  converfation  fKews  that  he  could  not  then  c^ftiv- 
form  to  the  national  church  fo  far  as  they  did. 

Mr.  Hubbard  feys,  *'  Immediately  after  his.^jc-- 
rival  he  was  called  by  the  church  of  Salem  to  join 
with  Mr.  Skelton ;  but  the  Governor  and  Council 
Ipcing  informed  thereof,  wrote  to  Mr.  Endicot,  to 
defire  they  w6tild  forbear  any  further  proceeding 
therein,  till  the  faid  Council  had  conferred  farther- 
about  it.  J,  Becaufe  he  refufed  to  join  with  the 
congregation  [i.  e.  church]  of  Bofton,  becaufe  they 
would  not  make  a  public  declaration  of  their  r-e- 
|)fiiicance,  for  holding  communion  with  tlie  church 

of 

*  It  appears  by  his  own  account  that  he  was  then  in  ,thc 
3<:d  y^ar  of  his  age. 

t  Reply  CO  Cotton  o^j,t|jc;BlQ64ylT«pet,  p.  12.. 


^4     HISTORY  OF   THE   BAPTISTS 

of  England  while  they  lived  there.  2.  Becaufe  Ii^ 
declared  ic  as  his  opinion,  that  the  civil  magiftrate 
might  not  puniih  any  breach  of  the  firft  table  j. 
"whereupon  they  for  the  prefent  forbore  proceeding 
•with  him,  which  occafioned  his  being  called  t,Q 
Plymouth  "  where.  Governor  Bradford  fays,  "He 
was  freely  entertained,  according  to  our  poor  ability, 
and  exercifcd  his  gifts  among  us ;  and  after  fome 
time  was  admitted  a  member  of  the  church,  and  Ms 
teaching  well  approved  j  for  the  benefit  whereof  I 
f^ill  blefs  God,  and  am  thankful  to  him  even  for 
his  fliarpeft  admonitions  and  reproofs,  fo  far  as 
they  agreed  with  truth*." 

As  the  two  points  which  were  fo  offenfive  to  the 
rulers  at  Bofton,  were  the  founciation  caufe  of  their 
after-proceedings  againfl:  Mr,  Williams,  and  nearly 
afFe6t  the  hiftory  of  our  country  to  this  day,  they 
demand  our  clofe  attention.  The  Governor  and 
Company  of  the  MafTachufetts  colony  held  commu- 
nion with  the  national  church,  and  refle<5led  upoa 
their  brethren  who  feparated  from  her,  while  in 
their  native  ifland,  and  on  their  departure  from  it, 
they  from  on  board  their  chief  fhip  wrote  to  thofg 
who  were  left  behind,  April  7, 1 630,  in  thefe  wordsf : 
Reverend  Fathers  and  Brethren^ 

*'  Howsoever  your  charity  may  have  met  with 
"  fome  occafion  oi  difcouragement,  through  the 
*^  mifreprefentation  of  our  intentions  •, — yet  we  de- 
*'  fire  you  would  be  pleafed  to  take  notice  ot  the 
*'  principles  and  body  of  our  company,  as  thofe 
"  who  efteem  it  our  honor  to  call  the  church  of 
**  England,  from  whence  we  rife,  our  dear  mother^ 
y  and  cannot  part  from  our  native  country,  where 

"  fhe 

•  Prince,  p.  4S. 

f  Which  were  printed  in  London  a  few  days  afcer.     rieal's 
Hiftoryof  New- England,  vol.  i,  p.  147. 


[1^340        ^N    NEW-ENGLAND.      5^ 

**  fhe  fpecially  refideth,  without  much  fadnefs  of 
**  heart,  and  many  tears  in  our  eyes  -,  ever  acknow- 
^'  ledging  that  fuch  hope  and  part  as  we  liave 
*'  obtained  in  the  common  falvation,  we  have  re- 
"  ceived  in  her  bofom,  and  fucked  it  from  her  breads : 
"  We  leave  it  not  therefore,  as  loathing  that  milk 
"  wherewith  we  were  nourifhed  there,  but  blefling 
"  God  for  the  parentage  and  education,  as  members 
**  oi  the  fame  hody,  fhall  always  rejoice  in  her  good. 

Joseph  Winthrop,  Governor". 

Charles  Fines, 

George  Philips, 

Richard  Saltonstall, 

Isaac  Johnson, 

Thomas  Dudley, 

William  Coddington,"  &c.* 
Now  as  lEpifcopalians,  down  to  this  day,  try  to 
improve  this  addrefs,    as    an   evidence  that   New- 
England  was  firll  planted  by  members   of    their 
church  (though  the  foregoing  hiftory  Ihews  that  it 
was  not  lb)  we  may  fafely  conclude  that  the  ruling 
party  in  the  nation  did  not  negleft   the  advantage 
hereby  given  to  ftrengthen  themfelves  then  in  their 
"way,  which   was  fo   corrupt^  that  when  the  Arch- 
biftiop  of  Canterbury  a  little  after  commenced  a 
profccution  againft  Mr.  Cotton,  the  Karl  of  Dorfet 
interceded  for  him,  till  he  found  matters  were  got 
to  fuch  a  pafs  that  he  fent  Mr.  Cotton  word,  "  That 
"  if  he  had  been  guilty  of  drwikennefs  or  unckannefiy 
*'  or  any  fuch  lejfdr  faulty  he  could  have  obtained 
**  his  pardon  ;  but  inafmuch  as  he  had  been  guilty 
"  of  Nonconformity  and  Puritanifm,  the  crime  was 
"  unpardonable  •,  and  therefore,  faid  he,  you  muft 
"  fly  for  your  fafety  f  .'*     And  can  we  wonder  that 

Mr. 

*  Maflachufetts  Hiftory,  vol.  J,  p.  487—489. 
t  Magnalia,  b.  3,  p.  13. 


p     HISTORY  OF   tm  BA^TlStS 

Mr.  Williams,  who  CitAt  cvtf  ihicye^t^^tet  the 
afarefaid  a'ddrefs  waS"  made,  fhould  nQt  Irfdline  to 
jdifi  in  ^limvfhip  vrirh  the  ailthors  of*  it,  without 
fome  honeil  r(*tra(f{:ion !  Yet  he  tVas  not  fo  rigid  but 
that  he  did  hold  ocdafioHal  communion  at  the  Lord's 
tablt  in  the  church  of  Plymouth,  with  Governor 
Winthl'op,  and  his  minifter j  Mt.  Wilfoh,  of  Bdfbn, 
0(?tob-er  18,  1632^.'* 

Mr.  Williams  pi'eiached  At  Plynlouth  between 
two  and  three  years,^  and  then  difcerning  in  a  lead- 
ing part  of  the  church  a  difagreement  with  Ibme  of 
his  fentiments,  ai^d  being  invited  to  Salem,  he  re- 
quefted  a  difftiilTion  there,  and  though  a  number 
v/ere  unwilling  for  it,  yet  elder  Brewfter  prevailed 
with  the  church  to  grant  his  re4ueft,  fearing,  he  faid, 
"  That  he  would  run  the  famecourfe  of  rigid  fepa- 
fatiOn  arid  Anahaptijlr^^  which  Mr.  John  Smith  at 
Amftefdam  had  done*.  Such  as  did  adhere  to  him 
were  alfo  difmiffed,  and  removed  with  him,  or  not 
long  after  him;,  to  Salehif :"  The  court  again  v;rotc 
to  Salem  againft  Mr.  Wiiliims,  but  could  not  pre- 
vent his  being  called  to  office  there ;  and  we  are  told 
that,  **  in  one  year's  time  he  filled  that  place  with 
**  principles  of  rigid  reparation,  and  tending  to  Ana- 
'*'  haptiJmX  •"  ^01*  which  they  afterwards  banilhed 
tilm  ;  though  as  it  was  a  confufed  piece  of  work  for 
them  thus  to  deal  with  him,  (0  their  hiftorians  have 
given  the  world  a  very  confufed  account  about  it. 
Morton,  Hubbard,  Dn  Cotton  Mather,  and  others* 

have 

§  Prince's  Annals,  p.  70. 

*  Mr.  Smith's  church  fepT'rited  from  ttie  church  of  England 
with  Mr.  Robinfdn's,  and  removed  a  Ihtlc  before  him  into  Hol- 
land. After  Mr  Smith's  death  a  number  of  his  church  return- 
ed, and  promoted  the  Baptift's  caufe  in  London.  Crofby's 
Hiftory,  vol.  I,  p.  26?. 

t  Morton,  p  86,  87. 

%  Morton— Hubbard* 


i:i634-}      i^    NEW- ENGLAND.        5J 

have  let  his  baniihment  in  1634,  yet  all  agree  that 
he  was  not  ordained  till  after  Mr.  Skclton's  death, 
which  was  in  Augull  that  year;  and  they  tell  us  o£ 
a  twelvemonth's  labour  with  him  and  his  church  af- 
ter his  ordination,  before  his  baniflimentj  neither 
do  they  give  us  a  better  account  of  the  true  caufes 
of  that  fentence,  than  they  do  of  the  date  of  it.  I 
have  taken  much  pains  to  colleft  as  exaft  an  account 
of  this  affair  as  poflible,  and  have  fucceeded  be- 
yond my  expedation. 

The  dates  I  find  to  be  as  follow :  Governor 
Winthrop  and  his  Council  firft  v/rote  to  Saleiil 
againft  Mr.  Williams,  April  12,  1631*,  which 
occafioned  his  going  to  Plymouth.  His  firft  child 
was  born  there  the  firft  week  in  Auguft,  1633-f-, 
and  Mr.  Cotton,  who  arrived  at  Bofton  the  fourth 
of  September  foUov/ing,  fays  he  had  removed  into 
the  Bay  before  his  arrival  J.  Mr.  Skeiton  died 
Auguft  2,  i634§,  and  we  fhall  find  proof  enough 
that' Mr.  Wiliianis  was  hot  banifhed  till  above  a 
year  afterward ;  fo  that  inftead  of  fuch  hafty  pro- 
ceedings at  Salem  as  his  opponents  would  reprefent, 
he  preached  there  more  than  a  year  before  he  was 
Ordainedj  and  as  long  after  it. 

As  to  the  caufes  of  his  fentence,  Mr.  Morton  has 
given  us  five  articles,  Mr.  Hubbard  fix  •,  Mr.  Wil- 
liams has  reduced  them  to  four,  but  Mr.  Cotton  is 
hot  willing  to  let  them  ftand  as  he  ftated  them, 
but  tells  us  that,  "  two  things  there  were,  which 
*'  (to  my  beft  obfervation  and  remembrance)  caufed 
*'  the  fentence  of  his  banifhmcnt  •,  and  two  others 
*'  fell  in  that  haltened  it. 

"  I.  His  violent  and  tumultuous  carriage  againfl 
*'  the  patent. 

*  Prince,  p.  26.     f  Providence  Records. 

t  Tenet  walhed,  part  2d,  p.  4.    §  Marnalia,  b.  3,  p.  76. 

I  »*  Br 


^8     HISTORY   OF    THE  BAPTISTS 

"  By  the  patent  it  is,  that  we  received  allowance 
'*  from  the  King  to  depart  his  kingdom,  and  to  carry 
'*  our  goods  wjth  us,  without  offence  to  his  officers, 
*'  and  without  paying  cuftom  to  himfelf.  By  the  pa- 
*'  tent,  certain  feledl  men,  as  magiftratesand  freemen, 
"  have  power  to  make  laws,  and  the  magiftrates  to 
*'  execute  juftice  andjudgmentamongft  the  people, 
**  according  to  fuch  laws.  By  the  patent  we  jiave 
•'  power  to  trtdfuch  a  government  of  the  church  *,  as 
"  is  moft  agreeable  to  the  word,  to  the  eftate  of 
*'  the  people,  and  to  the  gaining  of  natives,  in  God's 
"  time,  firft  to  civility,  and  then  tochriftianity. 

*'  This  patent  Mr.  Williams  publicly  and  ve- 
'*  hemently  preached  againft,  as  containing  matter 
*'  of  falfhood,  and  injuftice:  Falihood,  in  making 
*'  the  King  the  firft  chriftian  Prince  who  had  dif- 
*'  covered  thefe  parts  •,  and  injuftice,  in  giving  the 
*'  country  to  his  Englilh  fubjetfls  which  belonged 
*'  to  the  native  Indians -f." 

Let  it  be  here  noted,  that  we  have  no  proof  that 
Mr.  Williams  ever  preached  or  objected  againft 
the  whole  patent,  or  charter,  without  diftindtion, 
much  lefs  not  againft  that  part  of  it  which  confti- 
tuted  them  a  civil  government.  His  own  account 
of  this  matter  informs  us,  that  the  fin  of  the  patents 
which  lay  fo  heavy  on  his  mind  was,  that  therein 
*'  chriftian  Kings  (fo  called)  are  inverted  with  a 
**  right,  by  virtue  of  their  chrifiianity,  to  take  and 
*'  give  away  the  lands  and  countries  of  other  men," 

And  he  tells  us  that  this  evil  fo  deeply  affiiofed  his 

fouU  that,   "  before  his  troubles  and  banifliment,  he 

"  drew  up  a  letter,  not  without  the  approbation  of 

"  fome  of  the  chief  of  New-England,  then  tender 

*'  alfo  upon  this  point  before  God,  direcfled  unto 

*'  the  King  himfelf,    humbly  acknowledging  the 

"  evil 
f  This  eUttfc  «  not  trutfi.    |  Tenctwaflied,  p.  27* 


[1634.]        IN  NEW-ENGLAND.      59 

**  evil  of  THAT  PART  of  the  patent  which  refpcfls 
*'  the  donation  of  lands ^  &c.*" 

What  grounds  Mr.  Williams  and  others  had  for 
this  concern  will  plainly  appear  by  what  follows  ; 
for  in  the  faid  patent  from  Charles  the  firft,  he  re- 
cites that  which  was  given  by  his  father,  King  James 
the  firll,  dated  November  3,   1620,    -wherein  he 
"  gave  and  granted  unto  the  Council  eftablifhed! 
"  at  Plymouth,  in  the  county  of  Devon,    all   that 
**  part  of  America  lying  and  being  in  breadth  from 
"  40    degrees   of  northerly    latitude    from     the 
'*  equinoxial  line  to  48  degrees  of  the  faid  northerly 
•*  latitude  inclufively,  and  in  length  of  and  within 
*'  all  the  breadth  aforefaid  throughout  the  main 
*'  land  from  fea  to  fea,  together  alfo  with  all  the 
"  firm  lands,  foils,  grounds,  havens,  ports,  rivers, 
**  waters,    fifliing,    mines  and  minerals — jurifdic- 
♦*  tions,  privileges,   franchifes,  and  preheminences, 
"  both  within  the  faid  trgdl  of  land  upon  the  main, 
•*  and  alfo  within  the  iflands  and  leas  adjoining. 
**^  Provided  always,  that  the  faid  iflands,  or  any  of 
"  the  premifes  by  the  faid  letters  patent  intended 
**  and  meant  to  be  granted,  were  not  then  aftually 
"  poflfefled   or  inhabited    by    any   other    cbrijiian 
***  Prince  or  ftate — To  have  and  to  hold,  pofTels 
'*  and  enjoy,  all  and  fingular  the  aforefaid  continent 
"  lands,   and  every  part  and  parcel  thereof,   unto 
**  the  faid  Council,  and   their  heirs  and  affigns  for 
**  ever — To  be  holden  of  our  faid  moft  dear  and 
•'  royal  father,  his  heirs  and  fucceflbrs,  as  of  his 
**  MANOR    of  Eaft-Greenwich,  in  the   county    of 
**  Kent.**     Then  King  Charles  went  on  to  name 
the  MafTachufetts  Company,   and   to  defcribe  the 
limits   of  their   colony   through  the  main  lands  of 
America,  and  granted  it  to  them  in  the  fame  manner, 

•  Reply  to  Cottoaon  the  Bloody  Tenet,  p.  276,  277,  * 

la  ^^  ta 


io      HISTORY   0*    THE   BAPTISTS 

"f'  to  be  hoJden  of  us,  our  heirs  and  fucceffors,  Ai 
^"  of  OUR  manor  of  Eaft-Grcenwich*,"  &c. 
■  Can  any  man  claim  a  fuller  property  in  any 
land  in  the  world,  than  here  was  affumcd  over 
this  vaft  tra<5t  of  America !  And  though  the  mei\ 
who  had  taken  this  patent  banifhed  Mr.  Williams 
put  of  it,  yet  before  we  have  done  we  may  fee  this 
very  principle  which  he  abhorred  turned  back 
into  their  own  bofoms,  and  made  ufe  of  by  a  tyran- 
jiical  party  to  give  them  a  fevere  fcourging,  after 
their  patent  was  vacated. 

The  other  foundation  caufe  of  Mr.  Wiliiatns's 
jbanifhment  Mr.  Cotton  gives  in  thefe  words : 

"  2.  The  magiRrates,  and  other  members  of  thie 

V  General  Court,  upon  intelligence  of  fome  Epifco- 
*'  pal  and  malignant  pradlices  againft  the  country, 
*'  made  an  order  of  Court  to  take  trial  of  the  fide- 

V  lity  of  the  people,  not  by  impofing  upoa  them, 
*'  but  by  offering  to  them,  an  oath  of  fidelity  ;  that 
^*  in  cafe  any  fhould  refufe  to  take  it,  they  mighc 
»'  not  betruft  them  with  place  of  public  chirg'd 
^'  and  command,  Tf'^'s  oath  when  it  came  abroad 
*'  he  vehemently  withftood,  and  diffuaded  fundry 
<'  fror^  it,  partly  becaufe  it  was,  as  he  faid,  Chrrft*s 
*^  prerogative  to  have  his  office  eftablifhed  by  oath  j 
5'  partly  becaufe  an  oath  was,  part  of  God's  worfhipj 
y  a,nd  God's  worfhip  was  not  to  be  put  upon  car- 
**  nal  perfons,  as  he  conceived  many  of  the  people 
<'  to  be.  So  the  Court  was  forced  to  defift  fron^ 
y  that  proceeding-f-."" 

This  cafe  thus  ftatcd  carries  a  fad  face  with  it, 
but  one  acquainted  with  the  hiflory  of  the  coun- 
try would  be  ready  to  doubt  whether  it  was  truly 
ftated  or  not-,  for  every  freeman  had  taken  an  oath 

oi 

*  MafTachufetts  Hiftory,  vol.  3,  p.  I— ;|, 
+  Tfc"-^  vi;^lhedj  p.  28,  25, 


[16^4]        i^    NEW-ENGLAND.      6i 

of  fidelity  to  the  government  before  thattime^  and 
if  there  was  no  intent  of  impojiff^  but  only  of  offering 
this  new  oath»  could  they  not  find  men  enough  for 
officers  that  would  take  it?  Indeed  when  I  come  td 
find  how  the  truth  of  this  matter  was,  by  the  colo- 
ny records,  and  to  think  that  Mr.  Cotton  hadthent 
iit  his  door  when  he  wrote,  I  am  the  mod  fhocked 
about  him  by  this  publication  of  his  againft  Mr, 
"Wiiltams,  of  any  thing  I  ever  met  with  cOnc-erning 
him.  Upon  the  colony  records,  when  the  Gene- 
ral AlTembly  met  at  Bolton,  May  14-i  1634,  I  find 
thefe  words,  viz. 

"  It  was  agreed  and  ordered^  that  the  formef  oatii 
of  freemen  fhall  be  revoked,  fo  far  as  it  is  difibnant 
from  the  oath  of  freemen  here  underwritten,  and 
that  thofe  that  received  the  former  oath  fhall  ftand 
bound  no  further  thereby  to  any  intent  or  purpbfe 
than  this  new  oath  tyes  thofe  that  take  the  fame." 
The  Oath  of  a  Freeman. 

*'  I  A.  B.  beiqg  by  God's  providencJe  ah  inhabi- 
tant and  freemkn  within  thejurifdidion  of  this  com- 
jmonweal,  do  freely  acknowledge  niyfelf  to  be  fub- 
je6t  to  the  government  thereof,  and  therefore  do 
here  fwear,  by  the  great  and  dreadful  name  of  the 
ever-living  God,  that  I  will  be  true  and  faithful  to 
'the  fame,  and  will  accordingly  yield  affiftance  and 
fupport  tliereunto  with  my  perfon  and  eftate  as  in 
equity  I  am  bound,,  and  I  will  alfo  truly  endeavour 
.to  maintain  and  preferve  all  the  liberties  and  pri- 
vileges thereof,  fubmitting  myfelf  to  the  wholefome 
laws  and  orders  made  and  eftablifiicd  by  the  fame. 
And  further^  that  I  will  not  plot  nor  pra6life  any 
evil  againft  it,  nor  confent  to  any  that  fhall  fo  do, 
but  will  truly  difcover  and  reveal  the  fame  to  lawful 
authority  now  here  eftabliflied,  for  the  fpeedy  pre- 

Y?nting  thereof.    Moreover  I  do  folemnly  bind  my- 
•  -         .  ^^^^ 


62      HISTORY   OF    THE    BAPTISTS 

felf  in  the  fight  of  God,  that  when  I  (hall  be 
called  to  give  my  voice,  touching  any  fuch  matter 
of  this  (late,  wherein  freemen  are  to  deal,  I  will 
give  my  vote  and  fufFrage,  as  I  (hall  judge  in  mine 
own  confcience  may  beft  conduce  and  tervd  to  the 
public  weal  of  the  body,  without  refpeft  of  perfons 
©r  favour  of  any  man ;  lb  help  me  God  in  the  Lord 
Jefus  Chrift." 

This  oath  was  framed  and  taken  before  they  pro- 
ceeded to  elecHiion  at  the  time  abovefaid.  When 
trhe  A(rembly  met  again  at  Newtown,  now  Cam- 
bridge, March  4,  1635,  they  enacted,  "  that  every 
man  of  or  above  the  age  of  fixteen  years,  who  hath 
been  or  (hall  berefident  within  this  jurifdidion,  by 
the  fpace  of  fix  months  (as  well  fervants  as  others) 
and  not  infranchifed,  (hall  take  the  oath  of  refidents, 
before  the  Governor,  Deputy-Governor,  or  two  of 
the  next  A(nftants,  who  (hall  have  power  to  convent 
him  for  that  purpofe,  and  upon  his  refulal  to  bind 
him  over  to  the  next  Court  of  Aflillants,  and 
lipon  his  refufal  the  fecond  time,  to  be  punilhed  at 
he  difcretion  of  the  Court. 

"  It  is  ordered,  that  the  freeman's  oath  (hall  be 
given  to  every  man  of  or  above  the  age  of  fixteea 
years,  the  claufe  for  election  of  magiftrates  only 
excepted  *." 

Now  let  the  candid  reader  judge, 

I.  Who  was  the  beft  friend  to  charter-rights  ? 
The  Ma(rachufetts  Company  were  limited,  in  three 
di(Ferent  paffages  of  their  patent,  not  to  make  any 
laws  contrary  to  the  laws  of  England  ;  yet  one  pro- 
feded  defign  of  this  new  oath,  was  to  guard  again(t 
Epifcopal  praflices,  to  e(fe(5t  which  they  left  out 
the  claufe  in  their  former  oath,  which  bound  them 
to  fubmit  to  *'  all  fuch  laws,  orders,  fentences  and 

*'  decrees, 

•  MaiTachufctts  Records. 


[1655.]      IN    NEW-ENGLAND.        63 

**  decrees,  as  Ihould  be  lawfully  made  and  publifh- 
"  ed  by  them  •>"  and  inftcad  of  it  obliged  men  to 
fwear  to  fubmit  "  to  the  whokfome  laws  and  or- 
*'  ders  made  and  eftablilhed  by  the  fame."  And 
though  Mr.  Cotton  afferts  that  they  did  not  impofe 
but  only  offer  this  new  oath,  yet  the  colony  records 
are  exprefs,  thac  every  man  who  rcfided  within  thcijf 
jurifdi^tion  fix  months,  fervants  as  well  as  others, 
muft  fwear  to  obey  all  their  wholefome  laws  and 
orders,  or  be  puniihed  at  their  difcretion  ;  yea,  and 
alfo  fwear  to  reveal  any  plot  that  ihey  fhould  know 
of  againft  fuch  government,  *'  to  lawful  authority 
*'  now  here  ejlahlijhed :"  That  is,  not  to  complain 
to  any  but  themfelves. 

2.  FROM^Wtience  came  the  power  that  prefumed 
to  abfolvc  fkemfclves  and  others  from  their  each, 
to  keep  to  aafs  lawfully  made,  and  to  fubftitutc  the 
■word  wholefome  in  the  room  of  it  ?  Let  the  learned 
Cotton  Mather  anfwer  the  queftion.  Say:?  he, 
*'  the  reforming  churches,  fiyjng  from  Rome,  car- 
*'  ricd  fome  of  them  more,  lome  of  them  lefs,  all 
"  of  them  fomething,  of  Rome  with  them-,  efpc- 
"  cially  in  that  fpirit  of  impofJicn  and  perfecuticn^ 
*'  which  has  too  much  cleaved  unto  them  all  *.'* 

That  fpirit  of  impofition  and  perfecution  ran  fo 
high  in  England  at  the  time  we  are  upon,  that  King 
Charles  the£rft  gave  a  commilFion,  April  28,  1634, 
to  Archbilhop  Laud,  and  ten  courtiers  more  §,  fome 
of  then.1  known  Papilts,  committing  to  any  five  of 
them  "  power  of  protefticn  and  government,  as 
*'  well  over  the  Englilli  colonies  already  planted, 

"  as 

*  Hisfon  Dr.  Samuel  Mather's  Apology  for  the  Churches  of 
New-England,     Appendix,  p.  149. 

§  Lord  Coventry,  the  Archbifiiop  of  York,  the  Earls  of 
Portland,  Manchefter,  Arundel,  and  Dorfet,  Lord  Cottington, 
Sir  Thomas  Edmunds,  and  the  Secretaries  Cook  and  Winde- 
bank. 


$>^     HISTORY  OF   THE   BAPTISTS' 

".as  over  all  fuch  other  colonies,  which  by  any  g{ 
!'  our   people  of  England  hereafter  ihall  be  dc- 
"  diiced  into  any  other  like  parts  whaifoever,  and 
**  power  to  make  laws^  ordinances  and  conftitutionsj 
*'  concerning   either   the  ftate  public  of  the  faid 
,^*.  colonies,  or  utility  of  private  perfons  and  their 
**  lands,    goods,   debts  and  fuccefilon,    within  the 
"  precincls  of  the  fame,  and  for  ordering  and  di- 
.*'  rc6ting  of  them,   in   their  demeanors  towards  fo- 
*'  reign   Princes    and  their   people,    and   likev/ifd 
*'  towards  us  and  our  fubjefts,  as  well  within  any 
^'  foreign  parts  whatfoever  beyond  the  feas,  as  du- 
*'  ringtlieir  voyages,  or  upon  the  feas,  to  and  front 
"  the  fame.     And   for   relief  and  fupport  of  the 
f'  clergy,  and  the  rule  and  cure  of  the  fouls  of  our 
*'  people  living  in   thofe  parc5^  and  for  configning 
*'  of  convenient  maintenance  unto  them  by  tythes^ 
*'  oblations  and  other  profits  accruing,  according 
"  ti/ your  good  di/cretion,    with  the  advice  of  tw43 
"  or  three  of  our  Bifhaps,  whom  you  fhali  think 
''  fit  to  call  unto  your  confultations,  touching  the 
"  diftribution  of  fuch  maintenance  unto  the  clergy^ 
"  and  all  other  matters  ecclcfiafticalj  and  to  inflifl 
*'  punifhment  on  all  offenders  or  violators  of   con- 
"  ftitutions  and  ordinances,  either  by  imprifonments 
*'  or  other  reftraints,  or  by  lofs  of  life  or  membsrsi 
"'  according  as  the  quality  of  the  offence  (hall  rc- 
*'  quire  ;  with  power  alfo,  our  royal  alTcflt  being  firft 
*'  had  and  obtained,  to  remove  all  Governors  and 
*'  Prefidents  of  the  faid  colonies^  upon  juft  caufc 
"  appearing,  from  their  feveral  places,  and  to  ap- 
*'  point  others  in  their  (lead — and  power  alfo  to 
**  ordain  temporal  judges  and  civil  magiftrates  to 
*'  determine  civil  caufes,  with  fuch  powers,  in  fuch 
*'  a  form,  as  to  you  or  any  five  of  you  fhall  feem 
**  expedient  j  ^nd  alfo  to  ordain  judges,  magifl rates 

"  and 


**  and  officers  for  and  cbncerning  courts  ecde-^ 
**  fiaftical,  with  luch  power  and  fuch  a  formi  as  tb 
**  you  or  any  five  or  more  of  yon,  with  the  advice 
•*  of  the  Bifhops  fuffragan  to  the  Archbifhop  of 
*'  Canterbury  for  the  time  being,  fhall  be  held  meet.' 
•*  Giving,  moreover,  and  granting  tojou,  that  if  ie 
*'  fhall  appear,  that  if  any  officer  or  Governor  of  the 
**  fold  colonies  fliall  linjuftly  wrong  one  another,' 
*'  or  fhall  not  fupprefs  all  rebels  to  USj  ot"  fuch  aa 
"  fhall  not  obey  our  commands,  that  then  it  fhall 
**  be  lawful,  upon  advice  with  ourfelf  firfl:  had^ 
"  for  the  caufes  aforcfaidi  or  upon  any  other  jufb 
**  realbn,  to  remand  and  caufe  the  offender  to  return 
*'  into  England,  or  into  any  other  place,  according 
**  as  in  your  good  difcreliojfS  you  fliall  think  juft 
**  .and  neceffary.  And  we  do  furtherhiore  give 
**  unto  yoUi  or  any  five  or  more  of  yoli,  letters 
**  patent  and  other  writings  whatfoevfer,  of  us  of' 
"  of  our  royal  predecefTors  granted^  for  or  Concern- 
*'  ing  the  planting  of  any  colonies,  in  any  countries^' 
*■'  provinces,  iflands  or  territories  whatfoever  beyond 
*'  the  feas ;  and  if  upon  view  thereof,  the  fame  fhall 
*'  appear  to  youj  or  any  five  or  more  of  you,  tc* 
"  have  been  furrcptitioufly  and  unduly  obtained^ 
**  or  that  any  privileges  or  libetties  therein  granted 
"  be  hurtful  to  us,  our  crown  or  prerogative  royalj 
"  or  to  any  foreign  Princes,  to  caufe  the  fame  to  be 
*'  revoked,  and  to  do  all  other  things;,  which  fliall 
"  be  necefTary  for  the  whokfome  government  and 
"  prote6lion  of  the  faid  colonies^  and  our  p'eoplfi 
*'  therein  abiding*." 

Thus  the  words  difcretion  and  ivhotefome  were 
brought  in  to  violate  charters  and  all  public  faith, 
and  to  fee  up  tyranny  over  the  colonies  -,  but  Mr. 
Edward  Winflow   beinc;    fent  over  ascnt  for  the 

*  MaffiichHfetts  Hiftory,  vol.  i ,  p.  502—1^06, 

K.  cotintrys 


66     HISTORY   of    the    BAPTISTS 

country,  by  his  indefatigable  endeavours,  and  the 
influence  of  fome  great  men,  prevented  the  taking 
place  of  this  arbitrary  commiflion  •,  upon  which 
Laud  turned  his  refentment  againfl  him,  and  got 
him  imprifoned  feventeen  weeks  in  the  Fleet  prifon, 
in  London,  for  having  fometimes  taught  publicly 
in  the  church  of  Plymouth,  and  for  marrying  peo- 
ple, which  Laud  called  "  aflliming  the  minilterial 
"  office*." 

Had  the  Maflachufetts  fathers  only  taken  lawful 
and  prudent  methods  to  guard  againft  fuch  Epif- 
copal  and  malignant  praftices  as  thefe,  they  would 
have  been  juftified,  and  applauded  by  pofterity  ; 
but  now  we  mourn  to  think  that  they  brought  fo 
much  of  the  fame  diitemper  into  this  country  with 
them  as  they  did. 

The  fame  court  that  pafled  the  aft  to  oblige  all 
to  take  the  above  oath,  or  be  punifhed  at  their  dif- 
cretion,  alfo  pafled  the  following,  viz. 

"  This  court  doth  intreat  of  the  brethren  and 
elders  of  every  church  within  this  jurifdi<flion,  that 
they  will  confult  and  advife  of  one  uniform  order  of 
diicipline  in  the  churches,  agreeable  to  the  fcrip- 
tures,  and  then  to  conflder  how  far  the  magifl.rates 
are  bound  to  interpofe  for  the  prefervation  of 
ihat  uniformity  and  peace  of  the  churches -f." 

^Upon  this  Mr.  Williams  publicly  preached  againfl: 
the  oath  they  had  framed,  of  fubmifljon  to  luch  a 
power  i  for  which  the  Governor  and  Aflifl:ants  callec4 
him  before  them,  March  30,  1635,  when  "  he  was 
*'  heard  before  all  the  minifl;ers,  and,  according  to 
!'  Governor  Winthrop's  opinion,  was  clearly  re- 
"  futedj."  .The  twa  things  which  Mr.  Cotton 
fays  haft:ened  his  banilhment  were,  Mr.  Williams's 

fliirring 

•  Plymouth  Regifler,  p.  12—  1 4.     f  Maflachufetts   Recor4ii. 
X  Winthrop's  Journal. 


[i6s5-l        IN   NEW-ENGLAND.       67 

ftirring  np  his  church  to  write  to  other  churches  to 
which  thofe  rulers  belonged,  admonilhing  them  of 
injuftice  about  Tome  land  near  Salem  ;  and  his  fepa- 
rating  from  his  own  church  when  they  turned  againfl 
him  in  thefe  things*.  Concerning  the  firft  of  thefe 
articles  Governor  Winthrop  fays,  "  Salem  men  pre- 
**  fcrrcd  a  petition  at  the  General  Court,  May, 
•^  1635,  for  fome  land  in  Marblehead  rock,  which 
*'  they  did  challenge  as  belonging  to  their  town  ; 
'*  but  becaufe  they  had  chofen  Mr.  Williams  their 
*^  teacher  while  he  ftood  under  queftion  of  autho- 
*'  rity,  and  fo  offered  contempt  to  the  magiftracy, 
"  &c.  their  petition  was  refufed  till,  &c.  Upon  this 
*'  the  church  of  Salem  wrote  to  other  churches  to 
"  admonifh  the  magiftrates  of  this  as  a  heinous 
''  fin,  and  likewife  the  deputies,  &c.-f-"  By  the 
colony  records  I  find,  that  the  town  of  Marblehead 
was  firft  granted  by  the  Aflembly  which  met  May 
6,  1635,  when  fundry  parcels  of  land  which  Saleni 
had  improved  were  granted  to  them  as  foon  as  they 
lliould  want  them,  only  with  order  that  Marblehead 
(liould  pay  Salem  for  what  they  had  done  upon  the 
land  •,  among  the  reft  *'  the  land  betwixt  the  clifc  and 
"  the  foreft  river,  near  Marblehead,"  was  fo  grant- 
ed, but  with  this  provifo,  *'  that  if  in  the  mean  time 
"  the  inhabitants  of  Salem  can  fatisfy  the  Court 
*'  that  they  have  true  right  unto  it,  that  then  it  )[hall 
*'  belong  unto  the  inhabitants  thereof" 

The  generality  of  thofe  inhabitants  turned  the 
next  fall,  and  joined  with  the  rulers  in  banilhing  Mr. 
Williams,  and  when  the  General  Aftembly  met 
again»  March  3,  1636,  I  find  thefe  words,  viz, 
"  it  was  proved  this  Court  that  Marble-Neck  be- 
"  longs  to  Salem  J."     Now  what  can  be  more  na^ 

*  Tenet  wafhed,  p.  29,  30.     f  Winthrop's  JouraaU 
I  MaiTachufetts  Recojds. 

Jv  2  tural 


e%    HISTORY  or   the   BAPTISTS 

tural  than  to  conclude  from  hence,  that  the 
■way  for  Sakm  to/^/;.f,'3' ^^^  Couri  that  they  had  a 
true  right  to  their  land,  was  to  ubmit  their  ecclefj- 
^ftical  as  well  as  civil  affair?  to  their  diredion  ? 

At  aQcneral  Court,  July  8,  iS^s^  "  Mr.  Wil- 
.<*  liams,  of  Salem,  was  fummoned,  and  did  appear. 
.^*  It  was  laid  to  his  charge,  that  being  under  quef: 
■*'  tion  before  the  magiftracy  and  churches  for  di- 
,<*  vers  dangerous -opinions,  viz.  i.  That  the  mar 
"^^  giftrate  ought  not  to  puni(h  the  breach  of  the 
^'  firft  table,  otherwifc  than  in  fuch  cafe  as  did  di- 
^*  fturh  the  civil  peace,  2.  That  he  ought  not  to 
'^^  tender  an  oath  to  an  unregenerate  man.  3.  That 
,<'  ^  man  ought  qot  to  pray  with  fuch,  though  wife, 
^'  children,  &c.  4.  That  a  man  ought  not  to  give 
,**  thanks  after  facrament,  nor  after  meals  j  and  that 
**  the  other  churches  were  about  to  write  to  the 
•r*  church  of  Salem  to  admonifli  him  of  thefe  errors, 
,*'  underftanding  the  church  had  called  him  to  the 
5'  office  of  a  teacher.  The  faid  opinions  were 
^'  adjudged  by  all  the  magiftracy  and  minifters  (who 
^^  were  deftred  to  be  preknt)  to  be  erroneous,  and 
.*^*  very  dangerous,  and  the  calling  of  him  to  of- 
5'  fice  at  that  time  was  judged  a  great  contempt  of 
,*'.  authority.  So  in  fine  there  was  given  to  him  and 
y  the  church  of  Salem  to  confider  of  thefe  things 
,f'  till  the  ne)(t  General  Court,  and  then  ei;her  to 
^'  give  fatisfadtion  to  the  Court,  or  elfe  to  expe^ 
^^  the  fentcnce ;  it  being  profefledly  declared  by 
*•?  the  minifters.  (at  the  requeft  of  the  Court  to  givp 
5'.  their  advice)  that  they  who  Ihould  obftinately 
*^  maintain  fuch  opinions  (whereby  the  c-burch 
^'  might  come  into  herefy,  apoftacy  or  tyranny,  and 
V  yet  the  civil  magiftrate  could  not  intermeddle) 
^'  were  to  be  removed,  and  that  the  other  churches 
5*  ought  to  requeft  the  magiftrate  fo  to  do  *." 

This 

J  Goyernor  Winjhfop's  Journal* 


[1635]      IN   NEW-ENGLAND.         % 

This  is  the  mod  plain  and  ingenious  account  of 
the  real  c^iufc  of  Mr.  Williams's  baniihtnent  th-it  I 
Jiave  ever  met  with,  from  any  who  were  oppofite 
to  him,  and  carries  the  more  weight  with  it,  as  it 
was  wrote  by  one  of  the  greatpft  gentlemen  in  the 
cauntry,  in  the  time  of  it,  and  who  was  perfonally 
eoHcerned  in  thefe  tranfa^ion^.  And  by  the  firft 
^nd  latt  of  this  account  it  is  evident,  that  the  grand 
(iifSculiy  they  had  with  Mr.  Williams  was,  his  de- 
nying the  civil  magiftrates  right  to  govern  in  eccle- 
fiaftical  affairs. 

This  honorable  writer  informs  us,  that  on  Augufb 
X5»  »6j5,  *'  Mr,  Willliams,  paftor  of  Salem,  be- 
"  being  Tick,  and  not  able  to  fpeak,  wrote  to  his 
**  church  a  proteftation  that  he  could  notcommuni- 
♦*  cate  with  the  churches  in  the  Bay,  neither  would 
**  he  communicate  with  them,  except  they  would 
**  refufe  communion  with  the  reft ;  But  the  whole 
**  church  was  grieved  thereby." 

September  i,  ^'  At  this  General  Court,  Mr. 
**  Endicot  made  a  proieftation,  in  juftification  of 
^*  the  letters  formerly  fent  from  Salem  to  the  other 
**  churches  againft  the  magiftracy  and  deputies,  for 
^*  which  he  was  committed  ;  but  the  fame  day  he 
*^  came  and  acknowledged  his  fault,  and  was  dif- 
<f  charged  f.'* 

OcTopE^.  <*  At  this  General  Court  Mr.  Wil- 
<^  liam^  the  teacher  of  Salem,  was  again  convent- 
♦'  ed,  and  all  the  minilters  in  the  Bay  being  defired 
**  to  beprefent,  he  was  charged  with  his  faid  two 
^*  letters,  that  to  the  churches,  complaining  of  the 
♦'  magiftrat^s  for  injuftice,  &c.  and  the  other  to 
^^  his  own  church. — ^He  juftified  both, — and  main- 
*'  tain^d  all  hi?  opinions  -,  and  being  offered  further 

"  conference 

t  Winthrpp's  Journal. ^Mr.  Endicot  afterwards  adcd  at 
the  head  of  Uie  mcft  blQody  psrfijcuupns  i^  ;his  country. 

i 


70     HISTORY   OF    the    BAPTISTS 

'*  conference  or  difputation,  and  another  refpite, 
*'  he  chofe  to  difpute  prcfently ;  fo  Mr.  Hooker 
**  was  appointed  to  difpute  with  him,  but  could 
"  not  reduce  him  from  any  of  his  errors  ;  fo  the 
"  next  morning  the  Court  fentenced  him  to  depart 
"  out  of  ourjurifdidion,  within  fix  weeks,  all  the 
"  minifters  approving  the  fentcnce  •,  and  his  own 
*'  church  had  him  under  queftion  alfo  for  the  fame 
'^  cale,  and  he  at  his  return  home  refufed  commu- 
*'  nion  with  his  own  church,  who  openly  difclaim- 
"  ed  his  errors,  and  wrote  an  humble  fubmifion  to 
"  the  magiftratcs,  acknowledging  their  fault  in 
"  joining  with  Mr.  Williams  in  that  letter  to  the 
''  churches  againft  them*." 

John  Smith  was  baniflied  at  the  fame  time  with 
Mr.  Williams,  for  his  dangerous  opinions,  but  we 
are  not  told  what  they  were.  It  feems  that  the  Court 
af&er  this  gave  Mr.  Williams  liberty  to  (lay  till  fpring, 
only  enjoined  it  upon  him  not  to  go  about  to  draw 
others  to  his  opinions  •,  but  in  January,  1 6^6^  the  Go- 
vernor and  Afliftants  were  informed, that  he  received 
and  preached  to  companies  in  his  houfe,  "  even  of 
*'  fuch  points  as  he  had  been  cenfured  for."  Upon 
which  they  agreed  to  fend  him  into  England  by  a 
(hip  then  ready  to  depart  •,  "  the  reafon  was,  becaufe 
"  he  had  drawn  about  twenty  people  to  his  opinionis, 
*'  they  were  intended  to  ere6b  a  plantation  about  the 
"  Narraganfet  bay,  from  whence  infeftion  would 
*'  eafily  fpread  into  thefe  churches,  the  people  be- 
'^  ing  many  of  them  much  taken  with  the  appre- 
"  henfionof  his  godlinefs."  They  fent  for  him  to 
come  to  Bofton,  but  he  fent  an  cxcufe  j  upon  which 

they 

•  Winthrop's  Journal.— The  next  time  the  Court  met  they 
confirmed  their  land  to  them,  as  before  obferved.  Thr  province 
records  agree  with  this  account,  only  they  do  not  fet  any  date 
a''ter  the  Court  met  in  September,  before  Mr,  Williams's  fen- 
;cnce ;  but  it  might  be  OQob«r  before  it  was  ^aUed, 


<( 


[1636.]      IN    NEW-ENGLAND.        '^i 

they  fent  a  pinnace,  with  acommifTion  to  Captain 
tJnderhill,  to  apprehend  him  and  carry  him  on 
board  the  fliip  then  at  Nantafket;  but  when  they 
"  came  to  his  houfe,  they  found  he  had  been  gone 
**  three  days§." 

This  1  believe  is  the  exaft  date  of  his  depart^irei 
inftead  of  being  in  1634,  as  their  hiftorians  have 
rcprefented.  Sixteen  years  after  Mr.  Williams  tells 
us,  he  remembered  "  a  ferious  queftion  which  many 

fearing  God  have  made,  to  wit,  whether  the 
''  promife  of  God's  fpirit  blefling  conferences,  be 
"  lb  comfortably  to  be  expeded  in  New-Englanc^,- 
•'  becaufe  of  ihofe  many  public  fins  which  mod 
"  of  God's  people  in  New-England  lie  under,  and 
"  one  efpecially,  to  wit,  the  framing  a  gofpel  or 
"  Chrift  to  themfelves  without  a  crofs^  not  prof ejing 
"  nor  pra^iftng  that  in  Old,  which  they  profefledly 
"  came  over  to  enjoy  with  peace  and  liberty  from 
"  any  fro/}  of  Chrift  in  New.  I  know  thofe  thoughts 
"  have  deeply  poiTcfled  not  a  few,  confidering  alio 
"  the  fin  of  the  patents,  wherein  chrijfian  Kings,  fo 
"  called,  are  inverted  with  right,  by  virtue  of  their 
"  chrijiianity,  to  take  and  give  away  the  lands  and 
'*  countries  of  other  men  •,  as  alfo  confidering  the 
"  unchrijiian  oaths  fwallowed  down,  at  their  coming 
"  forth  from  Old-England,  efpecially  in  fuperlli- 
"  tious  Laud  his  time  and  domineering*." 

It  is  evident  by  the  foregoing  lift  of  errors  charg- 
ed upon  Mr.  Williams,  that  the  Maffachufetts  mini- 
fters  and  rulers  meant  to  carry  their  uniformity  fo 
far,  as  to  oblige  minifters  and  chriftians,  throughout 
their  jurifdidion,  not  only  to  afl<:  a  bleffing  at  the 
Lord's  table  and  at  common  meals,  but  alfo  to  re- 
turn 

§  Winthrop's  Journal. 

*  Reply  to  Cotton,  p.  276.  Note,  it  was  not  all  oaths,  bat 
only  thein  that  he  eftccmcd  unthrijiian  ones  ;hat  he  objcdlcd 
again  it. 


;i    HISTORY  GF   THE  BAPTlStS 

turn  thanks  afterward  -,  and  it  is  likely  that  this 
ftraining  of  that  matter  beyond  fcripture  example, 
has  had  not  a  Irttle  influence  upon  many  fince  to 
carry  them  to  the  other  extremei  Be  that  as  it  may^ 
what  human  heart  can  be  unaffefted  with  the  thought, 
that  a  people  who  had  been  forely  perfecuted  in 
their  own  country^  {o  as  to  flee  three  thoufand  miles 
into  a  wildernefs  for  rehgious  liberty,  yet  fliould 
have  that  impofing  temper  cleaving  fo  fa-ft  to  them, 
as  not  to  be  willing  to  let  a  godly  minifter,  v/ho 
teftified  againlt  it,  flay  even  in  any  neighbouring 
part  of  this  wildernefs,  but  moved  them  to  attempt 
to  take  him  by  force,  to  fend  him  back  into  the  land 
of  their  perfecutors  I  To  avaid  which  he  fled  to  the 
heathen  in  the  depth  of  winter,  and  obtained  fuch 
favour  in  their  fight,  that  Ofamaqtiin  (otherwife 
called  Mafafoit)  chief  Sachem  at  Mount  Hope,  made* 
him  a  grant  of  part  of  that  which  is  flnce  called 
JRehoboth  *,  yet  that  was  fo  far  then  from  anfwcring 
to  its  prefent  name,  tl>at  a  letter  and  meflenger  was 
fent  from  Plymouth  to  let  him  know  there  was  not 
J^ooM  for  him  in  that  place,  becaufe  witrhin  their* 
patent.  Ihhis  a  lamentation^  and  Jhcdl  be  fvr  a  la- 
mentation ! 

Mr.  Williams*s  own  teftimony,  upon  a  particular 
occafion  at  Providence  twenty- Ave  years  after,  I 
think  deferves  notice  here.     Says  he, 

*'  I  TE3TIFV  and  declare  in  the  holy  prefence^f 
God,  that  when  at  my  firft  coming  into  thefe  parts 
1  obtained  the  lands  of  Secunk  of  Ofamaquin,  the 
then  chief  Sachem  on  that  fide,  the  Governor  of 
Plymouth,  Mr.  Window,  wrote  to  me,  in  the  name 
of  their  government,  their  claim  of  Secunk  to  be  in 
their  jurifdi6lion,  as  alfo  their  advice  to  remove  but 
over  the  river  unto  this  fide,  where  now  by  God's 
merciful  providence  we  are,  and  then  I  fhould  be 

out 


[i6s6.]      m    NEW-ENGLAND.        ^3 

out  of  their  claim,  and  be  as  free  as  themfelves,  and 
loving  neighbours  together*.     After  I  had  obtained 
this  place,  now  called  Providence,  of  Canonicus  and 
Myantinomy,  the  chief  Nanhigganfet  Sachems  de- 
ceafed,  Ofamaquin  (the  Sachem  aforefaid,   alfo  de- 
ceafed)  laid  his  claim  to  this  place  alfo.     This  forced 
me  to  repair  to  the  Nanhigganfet  Sachems  aforefaid, 
who  declared,  that  Ofamaquin  was  their  fubjc(ft,  and 
had  folemnly,  himfelf  in    perfon,    with    ten  men. 
fubjeded  himfelf  and  his  lands  unto  them  at  the 
Nanhigganfet,  only  now  he  feemed  to  revolt  from 
his  loyalty,  under  the  fhelter  of  the  Englifh  at  Ply- 
mouth-f-.      This  I  declared  from  the  Nanhigganfec 
Sachems  to  Ofamaquin,  who  without  any  ftick  ac- 
knowledged to  be  true,  that  he  had  fo  fubjeded  c^ 
the  Nanhigganfet  Sachems  had  affirmed  ;  but  with- 
al he  affirmed  that  he  was  not  fubdued  by  war,  which, 
himfelf  and  his  father   had   maintained    againft  the 
Nanhigganfets ;   but  God,  faid  he,  fubdued  us  by  a 
plague,    which   fwept  away  my  people,  and  forced 
me  to  yield.     This  convicftion  and  confeffion  of  his^ 
together  with  gratuities  to  himfelf,   brethren  and 
followers,    made  him   often   profefs,  that  he   was 
pleafed  that  I  fhould  here  be  his  neighbour,  and 
the  rather  becaufe  he  and  I  had  been   great  friends 
at  Plymouth ;  and  alfo  becaufe  his  and  my  friends 
at  Plymouth  advifed  him  to  be  at  peace  and  friend- 
fhip  with  me  -,  and  he  hoped  that  our  children  after 
us  would  be  good  friends  together.     And  whereas 

*  Thk   by  the  way  Ihews  a  great  difference  between  the 
temper  t)f  Plymouth  and  Maffachafetts  rulers,    and  which  we 
A  /hall  yet  fee  more  of.     The   chief  Sachem's  names  are  very  dif- 
ferently fpelt  in  the  different  writings  I  have  met  with. 

t  This  perfeftly  agrees  with  the  account  we  have  of  Mafaffoit 
or  Ofamaquin's  league  he  made  with  Plymouth  people  the 
fprip.g  after  their  iirft  coming,  and  of  the  Narraganfet's  threat* 
niags  on  that  account.     Pri/rce^s  Chronclo^,  p.  102,  1 16. 

L  there 


74     HISTORY    of   jhe   BAPTISTS 

there  hath  been  often  fpeech  of  Providence  falling 
in  Plymouth  jurifdiftion  by  virtue  of  Ofamaquin's 
claim  i  I  add  unto  the  teftimonies  abovefafd,  that 
the  Governor,  Mr.  Bradford  deceafed,  and  other  of 
their  magiflrates,  declared  unto  me,  both  by  confer- 
ence and  Ariting,  that  they  and  their  government 
were  fatisfied,  and  rcfolvcd  never  to  moleft  Pro- 
vidence,  nor  to  claim  beyond  Secunk,  but  to 
continue  loving  friends  and  neighbours  •'(among 
the  barbarians)  together.  This  is  the  true  fum 
and  fubftance  of  many  paflages  between  our  coun- 
trymen of  Plymouth  andOfamaquin,  and  me. 

Roger  Willij^msV* 
The  above  date  of  Mr.  Williams's  removal  is 
confirmed  by  Mr.  Window's  being  then  Governor 
of  PFymouth  j  for  1636  was  the  oi.ly  year  that  he 
fuftained  that  office  between'1633  and  1644:  And 
as  ic  appeared  by  Plymouth  records  that  he  en- 
tered on  his  government  the  firft  ©f  March  that 
year,  we  may  coftcludc  that  Mr.  Williams  fled  to 
Secunk  in  the  depth  ^of  winter,  and  removed  with 
a  few  friends  over  the  river  in  the  fpring-f.  And 
here  let  us  admire  the  wifdom  that  governs  the 
world.  "  As  Jofeph  was  fold  by  his  envious  bre- 
thren, with  intent  to  get  him  out  of  their  way,  yet 
divine  providence  over-ruled  this  cruel  a6lion  quice 
othervvire  than  they  intended,  and  made  it  the  means 
of  their  future  prefervation  •,  fo  the  harfh  treatment 

and 

*  Copied  from  the  original.  In  his  own  hand  writing,  dated 
*' Proyidense,  13,   10,    !66i^"   (focallcd.) 

f  It  is  faid  that  he,  with  Thomas  Angell,  a  hired  fervant,  and 
fome  others,  went  over  in  a  canoe,  and  were  faluted-  by  the 
Indians  near  the  lower  ferry,  by  the  word  nxihatcbeere  ?  1.  c.  how 
do  yoa  do"  ?  which  gave  name  to  a  field,  which  Mr.  Williams 
f(^ld  many  years  after,  and  in  the  deed  fays  he  fatisfied  the 
owner  for  it,  and  planted  it,  "  at  my  firft  coming  with  mine 
own  hands."  They  went  round  till  they  got  to  a  pleafant 
ipring  above  the^reat  bridge,  where  they  landed  j  and  near  to 
which^^both  he  and  Angell  lived  to  old  age. 


[1636.]        IN    NEW-'EN  GLAND.       ^s 

and  cruel  exile  of  Mr.  Williams  feem  defigncd  by  his 
brethren  for  the  fame- evil  end,  but  was,  by  the 
goodneffi  of  the  fame  over-ruling  hand,  turned  to 
the  moft  beneficent  purpofes  J." 

Just  at  this  jundure  the  Pequods,  a  pov/erful 
Indian  tribe,  who  lived  upon  the  lands  where  are 
now  the  towns  of  Groton  and  Stonington,  v/ere 
forming  plots  againft  the  Englifli  colonies,  even  the 
very  year  that  thofe  of  Connecticut  and  Providence 
began,  and  when  Bofton  was  but  fix  years  old  ;  and 
as  a  veflel  was  fent  by  the  government  from  thence, 
under  the  command  of  John  Oldham,  to  trade  with 
the  natives  at  Block-Ifland,  about  fourteen  Indians 
boarded  the  vefiel,  and  murdered  him  ;  but  as  John 
Gallop  happened  to  come  upon  them,  in  his  return 
from  Connefticut  river,  they  leaped  into  the  fea, 
where  fome  were  drowned,  and  others  reached  the 
fhore.  The  firft  news  of  this  fad  cyent  that  they 
received  was  from  Mr.  Williams's  pen,  by  two  In- 
dians who  went  with  Oldham,  and  one  from  Co- 
nanicus,  a  Narraganfct  Sachem,  who  arrived  at 
Boflon  July  26,  1636.  Governor  Vane  wrote  back 
to  Mr.  Williams,  to  let  the  Narraganfets  know  that 
they  cxpe(?led  them  to  fend  home  two  boys  who 
were  with  Oldham,  and  to  take  revenge  upon'  the 
ifianders.  Four  days  after  the  boys  came  home 
with  one  of  Miantinomy's  men,  with  another  letter 
from  Mr.  Williams,  informing  that  faid  Sachem 
had  caufed  the  Sachem  of  Niantick  to  fend  to 
Block-Ifland  for  them,  and  that  he  had  near  a  hun- 
dred fathom  of  peag^  and  much  other  goods  of 
Oldl^m's,  which  fhould  be  referved  for  them,  and 
that  three  of  the  feven  Indians  who  were  drowned 
were  Sachems*.  Auguft  26  came  a  third  letter 
from  Mr.  Williams,  and  Governor  Windirop  fays, 

J  Hiftory  of  Providence.       *  Hubbard. 

.  K  2  *'  In 


j6     HISTORY   OF    THE   BAPTISTS 

*'  In  thefe  Indian  troubles  Mr.  Williams  was  af- 
*'  fiduous  to  influence  the  Narraganfets  in  favour 
*'  of  the  Engliih,  and  to  keep  them  from  joining 
.**  with  the  Pequods*.'* 

Sept.  '*  Canonicus  fent  word  of  fome  Engliih 
**  whom  the  Pequods  had  killed  at  Say  brook,  and  Mr. 
**  Williams  wrote  that  the  Pequods  and  Narragan- 
**  fcts  were  at  truce,  and  that  Minatonomoh  told 
^'  him  that  the  Pequods  had  laboured  to  perfuade 
**  them  that  the  Englifh  were  minded  to  deftroy 
**  all  the  Indians.  Whereupon  we  fent  for  Mino- 
**  tonomoh  to  come  to  us."  Accordingly  he  and 
two  of  Canonicus's  fons  and  another  Sachem,  and 
near  twenty  of  their  men  whom  they  call  Sannups, 
came  to  Bofton  Oftober  21,  where  the  Governor 
called  together  all  the  magiftrates  and  minifters : 
And  next  day  a  firm  league  was  figned  between 
them.  **  But  becaufe  they  could  not  make  them 
*'  well  underftand  the  articles,  they  told  them  they 
*'  would  fend  a  copy  of  them  to  Mr.  Williams,  who 
*<  could  belt  interpret  the  fame  to  them.  So  after 
*'  dinner  they  took  leave-f."  What  would  the 
Maflachufetts  have  now  done,  if  Mr.  Williams  had 
been  fent  to  England,  as  they  intended  the  winter 
before ! 

Let  us  now  review  their  religious  ftate.  In  Oc- 
tober, i^^r^^  arrived  Mr.  Thomas  Shepard  and 
Hugh  Peters,  two  minifters,  who  were  much 
improved  afterward  ;  alfo  Mr.  afterward  Sir  Hen- 
ry Vane,  the  latter  of  whom  was  admitted  a 
rnember  of  Bofton  church  November  i  y.  At  the 
General  Affcmbly  held  March  3,  1636,  "Order- 
ed, that  all  perlons  are  to  take  notice  that  this 
Court  doth  not,  nor  will  hereafter,  approve  of  any 

fuch 

•  Hubbard's  jQurnal.    f  Wiflthrop.*— Hubbaril, 
II  Wir.ihrop, 


[1636.]      IN    NEW-ENGLAND.         77 

fuch  companies  of  men,  as  fhall  henceforth  join  in 
any  pretended  way  of  church  fellowfhip,  without 
they  Ihall  firfl  acquaint  the  magiftrates  and  the 
ciders  ot  the  greater  part  of  the  churches  in  this 
jurildidion  with  their  intentions,  and  have  their 
approbation  herein.  And  further  it  is  ordered,  that 
no  pedon  being  a  member  of  any  church  which 
Ihall  hereafter  be  gathered  without  the  approbation 
of  the  magiftrates  and  the  greater  part  of  the  faid 
churches,  Ihall  be  admitted  to  the  freedom  of  this 
commonwealth*.'* 

At  the  cledion  at  Bofton,  May  25,  Mr.  Vane 
was  chofcn  Governor,  and  Mr.  Winthrop  Deputy- 
Governor;  and  a  (landing  Council  was  formed  of 
three  men ;  "  The  reafon  was,  for  that  it  was  fhcw- 
*'  ed  from  the  word  of  God,  &c.  that  the  principal 
"  magiftrates  ought  to  be  for  life."  Mr.  Winthrop 
and  Mr.  Dudley  were  chofen  for  life,  and  Governor 
Vane  to  be  their  Prefidenff.  The  next  year  Mr. 
Er.dicot  was  chofcn  for  life  in  Vane'^  room.      This 

Council 

•  Maffachufetts  Records. 

f  Winchrop's  Jaurnal.  Mr.  Cotton  wrote  this  year  to  Lord 
Say  and  Seal^  and  fays,  "  God  hath  fo  framed  the  ftate  of 
*'  church  goverr.menc  and  ordinances,  that  they  may  be  com- 
"  patible  to  any  commonweahh,  though  never  fo' much  difor- 
•*  dered  in  its  frame.  But  yet  when  a  commonwealth  hath 
**  liberty  to  mould  its  own  frame,  I  conceive  the  fcripture  hath 
*'  given  fu'l  dircdion  for  the  right  ordering  of  the  fame,  and 
••  that  in  fuch  fort  us  may  bell  maintain  the  euexia  [well  being} 
••  of  the  church.  Mr  Hooker  doth  often  quote  a  faying  out  cf 
*'JWr.  arrvvi'ght;  that  no  man  falhioneth  his  houfe  to  his 
**  hi; agings,  but  his  hangings  to  his  houfe.  It  is  better  that 
**  <he  com T. 0.1  wealth  be  fafhioned  to  the  fetting  forth  of  God's 
"  houle,  which  is  his  church  ;  than  to  accommodate  the  church 
"  fraihp  t©  the  civil  ftate.  —  Nor  need  we  fear,  that  this  courfe 
"  will,  in  time,  call  the  commonwealth  into  diftraflions,  and 
"  popular  c>nfuu»ns. — Purity  preferved  in  the  fhurch,  will  pre- 
"  ii:T\e  w^li  oruered  liberty  in  the  people,  and  both  of  them 
♦'  ellabliih  well  balanced  authority  in  the  magiftrates."  Maf- 
fich  ji'ettb  Hiiicry,  vol.  I.  p  497,  500.  His  great  miftake  hef«- 
in  Will  looii  appear. 


yg     HISTORY  of   the    BAPTISTS 

Council  foon  fouftd  work  to  do,  one  Article  of  which 
here  follows. 

I'd  the  Cmjiahk  of  Salem. 
**  Whereas  we  are  credibly  informed  that  divers 
pcrforis  (both  men  and  women)  within  your  town, 
<diO  diforderly  affemble  themfelvcs  both  on  the 
Lord's  days  and  at  other  times,  contemptuoufly  re- 
fufing  to  come  to  the  folemn  meetings  of  the  church 
there  (or  being  fome  of  them  juftly  caft  out)  doobfti- 
nately  refufe  to  fubmit  themfelves,  that  they  might  be 
again  received  ;  but  do  make  conventions,  andfeduce 
diverfe  perfons  of  weak  capacity,  and  have  already 
withdrawn  fome  of  them  from  the  church,  and  here- 
by hav€  caufcd  much  (not  only  difturbance  in  the 
church,  but  alfo)  diforders  and  damage  in  the 
civil  ftate. — Thefe  are  therefore  to  require  you 
forthwith  to  repair  unto  all  fuch  diforderly  perfons-, 
and  fignify  to  them  that  laid  courfe  is  very  ofFenfive 
CO  the  government  here,  and  may  no  longer  be  fuf- 
fcred,  and  therefore  command  them  from  us,  to 
refrain  all  fuch  difordered  aflemblies,  and  pretended 
church  meetings-,  and  either  to  conform  themfelves 
to  the  laws  and  orders  of  this  government,  being 
cflablifted  according  to  the:  rule  of  God's  word ; 
or  elfc  let  them  be  afTured  that  we  Ihall  by  God*s 
afiiftance  take  fome  fuch  ftri^l  and  fpeedy  courfe 
tor  the  reformation  of  thefe  diforders,  and  prevent- 
ing the  evils  which  may  otherways  enfuc,  as  our 
duty  to  God  and  charge  over  his  people  do  call  for 
from  us.  And  when  you  have  given  them  this 
admonition  you  fliall  diligently  attend  how  it  is 
obferved,  and  certify  us  accordingly,  as  you  will 
anfwer  your  neglexfl  herein  at  your  peril. 

H.  Vane,  Gov. 

From  B-oJlon  this  ^oth  of    Jo.Winthrop,  Dept, 
the  ^d  months  ibo^^,         Tho.  Dudley*." 

They 

*  Wiathrop,  ^ 


[1636.]        IN   NEW-ENGLAND.       79 

They  v/ere  fomewhat  too  fhort  in  declaring  the 
laws  and  orders  of  their  government  already  ejia- 
hliftoedi  for  that  work  was  yet  to  do ;  therefore  this 
Court  now  paffed  the  following  afl,  viz.  ''  The 
"  Governor,  Deputy-Governor,  Thomas  Dudley, 
"  John  Haynes,  Richard  Bellingham,  Efquires, 
"  Mr.  Cotton,  Mr.  Peters,  and  Mr.  Shepard,  arc 
*'  entreated  to  make  a  draught  of  laws  agreeable  to 
*'  the  word  of  God,  which  may  be  the  fundamentals 
*'  of  this  commonwealth,  and  to  prcfent  the  fame 
*'  to  the  next  General  Court;  and  it  is  ordered  t'hat 
*'  in  the  mean  time  the  magiftrates  and  their  aflb- 
*'  ciates  fhall  proceed  in  the  courts  to  hear  and  de- 
*'  termine  all  caufes  according  to  the  laws  now  efta- 
"  blifhed,  and  where  there  is  no  law,  then  as  near 
"  the  laws  of  God  as  they  can*." 

Soon  after  this  came  on  fuch  difputes  in  the  coun^ 
try  about  grace  and  works,  that  "  it  began  to  be  as 
"  common  there  to  diftinguifh  between  men  be- 
"  ing  under  a  covenant  of  works,  and  a  covenant 
'•  of  grace,  as  in  other  countries  between  Pro- 
"  teftants  and  Papiftsf.**     It  divided  the  General 

Court, 

*  Maflachufetts  Records.  From  their  beginning  the  Gover- 
nor and  Affiftants  had  been  their  executive  court,  till  the  IVIarck 
preceding,  when  they  took  in  affociates  with  the  magiflrates, 
and  formed  inferior  courts  in  their  feveral  towns,  to  try  caufes 
not  exceeding  ten  poands ;  from  whence  appeals  might  be 
made  to  the  court  ©f  Afiiftants. 

f  Hubbard,  Captain  Johnfon  fays,  "  That  you  may.  un- 
derftand  their  way  of  broaching  their  abomir.able  errors,  it  was 
in  dividing  thofe  things  the  Lord  hath  united  in  his  work  of 
couverfion  continued,  carrying  on  a  foul  to  heaven,  ia  thefc  four 
particulars  : 

"  I.  In  dividing  between  the  word-'and  the  word,  under  pre- 
tence of  a  legal  gofpel,  perfuading  the  people  their  minifiers 
were  legal  preachers,  teaching  them  litdt  better  than  Popery, 
and  unfit  for  gofpel  churches  ;  denying  them  to  be  any  minillers 
of  Chrifl,  that  preach  apy  preparation  work^  by  Viewing  men 

wha: 


So     HISTORY   OF    THE    BAPTISTS 

Court,  and  from  thence  it  was  carried  into  Bofton 
church,  where  it  caufed  fharp  debates  on  Lord's  day, 
December  31,  between  the  two  minifters.  Cotton 
and  Wilfon,  and  between  the  Governor  and  Deputy- 
Governor, 

what  the  law  requires.  Here's  nothinj;,  favi  one  of  ibem,  but 
preaching  out  of  the  law  and  the  prophets.  Trs]j,  fi^t  aBOiher» 
I  have  cot  heard  «  pure  gcfpel  fermon  from  any  -f  them. 

*^  la  feparating  Chritt  ard  his  graces,  in  oianifetting  himfelf 
to  be  in  the  foDl ;  and  this  the)*  iay  makes  much  for  the  mag- 
rifring  of  free  grace  ;  and  indeed  they  made  it  fo  free,  that  the 
foul  that  receives  ic  {hp.ll  never  taRe  any  of  it  hy  their  confent, 
but  remain  fltll  a  dry  branch  as  before.  Thefe  legal  Pharifeei* 
fayi  one  of  them,  tell  u:  of  a  thing  they  call  iDheret.i  grace,  and 
of  a  man  being  made  a  new  creature;  but  I  am  fare  the  bed  of 
them  go  on  in  their  legal  duties  and  performances  flill,  farrow- 
ing for  (in,  hearing  of  fi^rmons,  obferving  duty  morning  and 
evenicg,  and  man*  fuch  like  matters.  Tu(h  man,  fays  another, 
you  (hall  hear  more  than  this ;  I  was  difcourfifig  with  one  of 
their  fcholftical  preacher's  difclples,  a  pro  efled  convert,  and 
yet  when  he  came  to  prav,  he  begged  for  the  forgivenefi  of  hia 
fins  ;  I  fiOurd  him  why  he  ufed  that  vain  repetition,  finc£  he  did 
believe  he  was  jadified  by  Chrift  already  f  He  made  me  an 
anfwer  not  worth  repeating  ;  but  when  I  told  him  God  coiild 
fee  no  fin  i:-  his  people,  no  m're  than  I  could  fee  that  which  was 
covered  ckfe  from  my  eye-fight,  he  told  me  I  fptke  litde  lefs 
than  blafphemy.  S  ignora^  t  are  thefe  mea,  and  their  learned 
guidct  alfo  ;  vt^ho  pcrfutde  (hem  the  more  they  have  of  the 
indwelling  of  the  fpiritof  Chrift,  the  better  they  (hall  be  enabled 
to  thefe  legal  du  ies.  N^y,  quoth  the  other,  I  can  tell  you 
more  than  all  (his  ;  ?hey  make  it  an  evidence  of  their  good 
edate,  even  their  facAihcation,  ard  yet  thefe  men  would  make 
people  believe  ihey  areagairft  Popery. 

••  3.  The  third  divjdig  ten.;  t,  by  which  thefe  perfoni  pro- 
fecuted  iheir  errors,  was  between  the  word  of  God  and  the  fpirit 
of  God  :  And  heie  thefe  feflaries  had  many  pretty  knacks  ta 
delude  with^,  and  eff^ecially  to  ple«fe  the  female  fex,  they  told 
of  rare  revelations  of  thirgs  to  come  from  the  fpirit,  as  ihey  fay. 
—Come  along  with  me,  fays  cne  of  them,  I  will  brirg  you  to  « 
woman  that  preaches  better  gcfpel  han  any  of  your  black  coati^ 
thai  have  been  at  the  univerfity  ;  a  woman  of  another  kind  of 
fpirit,  who  hath  had  mni'.y  revelation?  of  things  to  come,  and 
for  my  part,  faiih  he,  I  had  rather  heir  fuch  a  ore  that  fpeaks 
frcm  the  mecr  m'-tior.  of  (he  fpirii,  wiciiout  any  fludy  at  all. 


[1637.]      IN  NEW-ENGLAND.        St 

Governor,  who  were  members  of  itf.  In  this  con-^ 
ttoverfy  Mr.  Cotton  found  what  it  was  to  fall  into 
the  minority,  for  none  of  the  nlinifters  held  fully 
with  him  but  Mr.  Wheelwright,  who  was  not  a 
lectlcd  miniller,  but  was  preaching  to  a  branch  of" 
Bofton  church,  at  the  place  now  called  Braintree  j 
where  at  a  general  faft  on  January  ic),  3637.  he 
delivered  a  difcourfe  that  greatly  increafed  the  flame. 
Under  his  third  ufe  we  are  told  that  he  faid,  "  The 
*'  fecond  fort  of  people  that  are  to  be  cohdemned^ 
*^  are  all  fuch  as  do  fet  thertifeives  againft  the  Lord 
"  Jefus  Chrirt  •,  fuch  are  the  ^reateji  enemies  to  '(h^ 
*^  Jlafe  as  cdn  he  \  \i  they  can  have  their  wills,  you 
**  fee  what  a  lamentable  (late  boeh  church  and  com- 
*'  mohvvealth  will  be  in  ;  then  we  fliall  have  need 
**  of  mourning;  the  Lord  cannot  endure  thofethai: 
"  arc  enemies  to  himfelf  and  kingdom  and  people, 
**  and  unto  the  good  of  his  chutch  J." 

At  the  General  Court,  March  9,  Mr.  Wheelwright 
was  called  to  account  for  the  words  which  tended 
to  fedition  in  his  fermon,  but  the  matter  was  defer- 

than  any  of  your  learned  fcholars,  although  they  may  be  fuller 
ei  fcripture — and  admit  they  fpeak  by  the  help  of  the  fpirit, 
yet  the  other  goes  beyond  them. 

"  4.  To  divide  between  Chrift  and  his  ofdinahces  ;  and 
here  they  played  their  game  to  purpofe,  even  calling  down  all 
ordinances  as  carnal,  and  that  becaule  they  were  polluted  by  the 
ordinance  of  man  ;  as  Ibme  of  thefe  fedlaries  have  faid  to  the 
ininifters  of  Chrift,  you  have  caft  oft'  the  crofs  in  baptifm,  but 
you  would  do  well  to  c&il:  off  baptifm  itfelf  ;  as  aKo  for  the  fa- 
crament  of  the  Lord's  fupper,  for  to  make  ufe  of  bread,  or  the 
juice  of  a  Ally  grape,  to  reprefent  the  body  and  blood  of  Chrift> 
they  accounted  it  as  bad  as  necromancy  in  minifters  of  Chrift  te 
perform  it.'*    Johnf6>t''s  Hijlory^  p.  67 — 99. 

t  Winthfdp— Hubbard. 

X  Gorton's  Glafs  fer  New-Eagland,  p.  \q^  20  ;  who  fays,  in 
Ais,  Wheelwright  "  bore  teftimony  to  the  light ;"  and  the 
words  ab«v«  he  fays  he  tranfcribed  out  of  Mr.  Wheelwright's 
manufcript. 

M  xtl 


Si    HISTOR.Y  OF   THE    BAPTISTS 

red  from  court  to  court  till  fall,  when  he  was  banifh- 
cd.  Contention  arole  to  a  great  height.  Stephen 
Greenfmith,  for  laying  "  that  all  the  minifters  ex- 
cept A.B  C.  did  teach  a  covenant  of  works,  was 
cenfured  to  acknowledge  his  fault  in  every  church, 
and  fined  40  1.*'* 

At  the  General  Court,  May  17,  1637,  after  a 
hot  difpute  they  proceeded  to  eleftion,  when  Mr. 
Vane  and  his  friends  were  left  out§-,  and  a  law 
was  made,  **  that  no  town  or  perfon  fhall  receive 
any  llranger  reforting  hither  with  intent  to  refide 
in  this  jurifdidion,  nor  iliall  allow  any  lot  or  habi- 
tation to  any  above  three  weeks,  except  fuch  per- 
ions  (hall  have  allowance  under  fomc  one  of  thecoun- 
cil,  or  of  two  other  of  the  magiflrates  their  hands, 
uponvpain  that  every  town  that  fliall  give  or  fell  any 
lot  or  habitation  to  any  fuch  not  fo  allowed  (hall 
forfeit  100  1.  for  every  offence;  and  every  perfon 
receiving  any  fuch*  for  longer  time  than  is  here 
cxprefled,  or  than  fhall  be  allowed  in  fome  fpecial 
cafe — Ihall  forfeit  for  every  offence  40  1.  and  for 
every  month  after  fuch  perfon  fhall  there  continue 

2ol.t" 

Mr.  Cotton  was  for  a  while  fo  much  dilTatisfied 
with  this  law,  that  he  had  thoughts  of  removing  out 
of  that  jufifdiftion  J.  Governor  Winthrop  wrote 
a  defence  of  it,  in  which  he  does  not  deny  but  that 
a  principal  defign  of  that  law  was  to  keep  away  per- 
fons  of  Mr.  Wheelwright's  opinions,  and  fays,  "  If 
**  we  find  his  opinions  fuch  as  will  caufe  divifions, 
*'  and  make  people  look  at  their  magiflrates,  mi- 
"  nifters,  and  brethren,  as  enemies  to  Chrift,  an- 
"  tichrifls,  dec.  were  it  not  fm  and  unfaithfulnefs 

."  in 

*  winthrop. 

§  He  failed  for  England  the  3d  of  Auguft  following, 

f  Maflachufetts  Records. 

X  Maflachufetts  HiHory,  vol.  i ,  p.  63. 


[1637]        IN    NEW-ENGLAND.      b^ 

"  in  us,  to  receive  more  of  their  opinions,  which 
"  we  already  find  the  evil  fruit  of?  Nay,  why  do 
''  not  thofe  who  now  complain  join  with  us  in  keep- 
*'  ing  out  fuch,  as^well  as  formerly  they  did  in  ex- 
**  pelling  Mr.  Williams  for  the  like,  though  lefs 
"  dangerous  ?"  Where  this  change  of  their  judg- 
"  ments  fliould  arife  I  leave  to  themfelvcs  to 
"  examine*."  Ah  !  kfs  dangerous,  fur*  enough  1 
for  Mr.  Williams  was  banifhcd  for  holding  that 
the  magiftrates  fword  ought  not  to  be  brought 
in  to  decide  religious  controverlies  j  but  Wheel- 
wright would  have  turned  that  fword  again fl;  the 
rulers,  minifters  and  people,  that  he  judged  to  be 
under  a  covenant  of  works,  and  fo  enemies  to 
grace. 

Mr.  Wheclv/right  was  brother  in-law  to  Mrs." 
Anne  Hutchinfon,  who  had  been  a  principal  inftru- 
ment  of  the  divifion  in  the  country  about  grace  and 
works.  We  are  told  that  fhe  brought  thefe  two  errors 
out  of  England  with  her,  viz.  *'  i.  That  the  per- 
"  fon  of  the  Holy  Ghoft  dwells  in  ajiiftified  perfon. 
•'  2.  That  no  fandliiication  can  help  to  evidence  our 
"  juftificationf."  A  fynod  of  minifters  and  mcf- 
fcngers  from  all  parts  of  the  country  met  at  New- 
town, the  30th  of  Auguft,  and  fpent  three  weeks 
in  debates  upon  thefe  controverfies,  and  drew  up 
and  condemned  fourfcore  errors.  The  General  Court 
adjourned  to  attend  on  their  debates,  and  after  their 
rcfult  was  figned  by  all  the  fettled  minifters  except 
Mr.  Cotton,  who  alfo  appeared  to  incline  toward  the 
majority ;  they  met  Sept.  26,  when  "  Mr.  Whcel- 
"  Wright  appearing,  was  difmiffed  ihitil  he  Ihould 
,*'  be  fcnt  for  by  the  court  or  courts  which  fhall 

•  Maffachufctts  Hlftoryi  vol.  3,  p.  71. 
t  Wiiishrop's  Journal, 

L  2  **  fucceed. 


84     HISTORY   of    the   BAPTISTS 

<'  fucceed.  This  prefent  court  is  difiblved,  nntil  a 
,<*  new  one  be  called,  and  to  be  kept  at  Newtown*.'* 
Here  opens  fomething  that  I  never  heard  of  till 
I  found  it  upon  the  colony  records,  It  was  cuftomr 
liry  to  eleft  their  deputies  twice  a  year,  namely,  in 
the  fpring  and  fall  ;  but  to  choofe  them  twice  in 
one  fall  was  an  unprecedented  aft,  of  which  I  believe 
no  parallel  can  be  found  from  the  foundation  of  the 
country  to  this  day.  It  feems  that  a  major  vote  of 
thofe  deputies,  to  execute  the  decrees  of  the  late 
iynod,  could  not  be  obtained,  therefore  the  houfc 
was  diiTolved,  and  a  new  one  convened  on  Novem- 
bcr  2,  1637  J  to  whom  a  remonflrance  againft  thofc 
forrrjer  proceedings  was  prefented,  figned  by  above 
iijcty  men  •,  of  whom  William  Afpinwall,  who  drew 
it,  and  John  Coggfhall  were  members  of  the  Aflem- 
"bly  J  but  for  which  they  were  now  excluded,  and  an 
grder  was  fent  for  Bofton  to  choofe  two  other  de- 
puties, Alfo,  "  John  Oliver,  juftifying  the  fedi^ 
tious  libel  called  a  remonftrance  or  petition,  was 
^^ifchargcd  from  being  a  deputy  in  this  court-f.'* 
,The  court  then  proceeded  to  pafs  the  following 

fentences, 

♦  MaflXchufetts  Records, 

f  Maflachufetts  Records — WInthrop.  The  remaining  mem- 
"bars  of  the  AfTembly  were  Governor  Winthiop,  DeputyGo- 
vernor  Dudley,  John  Endicot,  John  Humfrey,  Richard  Belling- 
ham,  Roger  Harlakenden,  Ifrael  Stoughton,  Simon  Bradftreet, 
^nd  Increafe  Nqwel,  Afllltante,  and  31  deputies.  The  houfe 
that  was  diilblved  in  September  had  26  deputies,  of  whom  but; 
3  I  were  in  this  new  houfe,  Mr.  Atherton  Hough  was  one  who 
"WAS  left  9m,  though  he  was  a  aagillrate  two  years  before.  John 
«n<i  Ifaac  Heath,  John  Johnfon,  Thomas  Lynde,  Nicholas 
Panforth,  Willian  Spencer,  Samuel  Appleton,  Jofeph  Metcalf, 
John  Uphaw,  «nd  Thoni^s  Qardner,  were  jilfQ  of  thofe  they 
left  out, 

Thsfs  awd  fuch  like  proceedings  caufed  the  removal  of  Mr. 
WilliarnBlaxton  about  this  time.   He  was  a  minifteris  the  church 

if^ngland,  h^\  gam^  early  to  thjj  country.  It  appears  by  John- 
'  fon'i 


[1637.]         IN   NEW- ENGL  AND.      58 

fcntences,  viz.  *'  Mr.  John  Wheelwright  being  for- 
merly convi(ffced  of  contempt  and  ledition,  and  now 
jurtitying  himfelf  and  his  former  praftice,  being  the 
difturbance  of  the  civil  peace,  he  is  by  the  court 
disfranchifed  and  baniHicd,  having  fourteen  days  to 
fettle  his  affairs. 

"  Mr.  John  Coggfliall  being  convented  for  di- 
fturbing  the  public  peace,  was  disfranchifed,  and 
enjoined  not  to  fpcak  any  thing  to  difturb  the  pub- 
lic peace,  upon  pain  of  banilhment. 

"  Mr.  William  Afpinwall  being  convented  for 
having  his  hand  to  a  petition  or  remonflrance,  being 
a  feditious  libel,  and  juftifying  the  fame,  for  which 
and  for  his  inlolent  carriage,  he  is  disfranchifed  and 
banilhed,  putting  in  furetics  for  his  departure  be- 
fore the  end  of  the  firft  month  next  enfuing. 

"  Mrs.  Hutchinfon,  the  wife  of  Mr.  William 
Hutchinfon,  being  convented  for  traducing  the 
minifters  and  their  miniftry  in  this  country,  fhe 
declared  voluntarily  her  revelations  were  the  ground, 
and  that  fhe  fhould  be  delivered,  and  the  court  ruin- 
ed 

fon's  hiftory,  p.  20,  that  he  was  here  in  1628,  but  not  agreeing 
with  Mr.  Endlcot  and  others  about  church  affairs,  he  betook 
himfelf  to  agriculture.  He  had  planted  himfelf  upon  the  neck 
of  land  where  Bofton  flands,  which  from  him  was  called  Blax- 
ten's  Point,  when  the  Mafiachufetts  company  firft  arrived  with 
their  charter.  At  a  court  in  Bofton,  April  i,  j  633,  they  made 
him  a  grant  of  fifty  acres  of  land  Hear  his  houfe  there,  MaJJif 
chufetts  Records.  Vet  now  he  faid,  "  I  came  from  England, 
<*  becaufe  I  did  not  like  the  Zorrt' ^//?>o/j  ;  but  I  cannot  join 
'*  with  you,  becaufe  I  would  not  be  under  t\\Q  Lord  Brethren.''* 
Magnalia  He  went  and  fettled  fix  miles  fouth  of  Mr.  Wiliianns, 
near  what  is  now  called  Whipple's  Bridge,  in  Cumberland  ; 
where  he  lived  to  old  age,  and  ufed  at  times  Jo  preach  at  Provi- 
dence, and  ocher  places  adjacent,  and  left  behind  him  the  cha- 
racter of  a  godly  and  pious  man,  though  his  family  is  extlnft. 
He  planted  an  orchard  near  where  he  lived,  which  we  are  told 
is  the  firft  that  ever  bore  fruit  in  Rhode-Iiland  colony  ;  and 
140  year:  aftW;  many  of  the  trees  continued  to  be  thrifty  j;n4 
fruitful* 


$6      HISTORY   OF    THE   BAPTIST^ 

cd  with  their  pofterity,  and  hereupon  was  baniflied  ; 
and  the  mean  while  was  committed  to  Mr.  Jofeph 
Weld,  until  the  court  Ihall  difpofe  of  her." 

Captain  Underhill,  and  two  fcrjeants,  were  jput 
from  office  and  disfranchifed,  one  of  the  ferjeants 
being  alfo  fined  40 1.  the  other  20 1.  Four  men 
more  were  disfranchifed  for  having  their  hands  to 
faid  petition,  one  of  whom  was  William  Dyer,  af- 
terward the  firft  fecretary  of  Rhode-Ifland  colony. 
Ten  men  retraced  their  figning  that  remonftrance, 
and  were  forgiven.  Then  upon  the  20th  of  No- 
vember the  court  pafTcd  the  following  fentence  : 

".  Whereas  the  opinions  and  revelations  of  Mr. 
Wheelwright  and  Mrs.  Hutchinfon  have  feduced 
and  led  into  dangerous  errors  many  of  the  people  of 
New-England,  infomuch  as  there  is  juft  caufe  of 
fufpicion  that  they,  as  others  in  Germany  in  former 
times,  may  upon  fame  revelation  make  fudden 
irruption  upon  thofe  that  differ  from  them  in  judg- 
ment j  for  prevention  whereof  it  is  ordered  that  ail 
thofe  whofe  names  are  underwritten  (upon  warning 
given  at  their  dwelling-houfes)  before  the  30th  day 
of  this  month  of  November,  deliver  in  at  Mr. 
Keayne's  houfe,  at  Bofton,  all  fuch  guns,  piftols, 
fwords,  powder,  fliot  and  march,  as  they  fhall  be 
owners  of,  or  have  in  their  cuftody,  upon  pain  of 
lol.  for  every  default  to  be  made  thereof-,  which 
arms  are  to  be  kept  by  Mr.  Keayne  till  this  court 
Ihall  take  further  order  therein.  Alfo  it  is  ordered, 
upon  like  penalty  of  10  1.  that  no  man  who  is  to  ren- 
der his  arms  by  this  order,  fhall  buy  or  borrow  any 
guns.fwords, piftols,  pov/der,fhot  or  match,  until  this 
court  fhall  take  further  order  therein."  Seventy- 
fix  men  are  named  as  being  difarmed  by  this  fen- 
tence, only  if  any  of  them  would  acknowledge  anci 
not  juflify  faid  petition  before  two  magiftrates,  they 

fliould 


[1637.]        i^   NEW-ENGLAND.        87 

Ihould  then  be  free  from  it  §.  Of  thefc  men  58  be- 
longed to  Bofton,  5  to  Roxbury,  2  to  Charleitown, 
6  to  Salem,  2  tolpfwich,  and  3  to  Newbury,  of 
whom  Richard  Dummer,  of  Newbury,  had  been  aa 
AlTiftant,  and  Mr.  Hutchinfon,  Underhil),  Afpin- 
wall,  Cogglhall  and  Oliver,  of  Bofton,  Robert 
Moulton,  of  Salem,  and  others,  had  been  deputies. 

Directly  upon  the  foregoing  aft  the  Afiembly 
added  the  following,  viz.  "  The  court  being  kn- 
fible  of  great  diforders  growing  in  this  common- 
wealth, through  the  contempts  which  have  been  of 
late  put  upon  the  civil  authority,  and  intending  to 
provide  remedy  for  the  fame  in  time,  doth  order 
and  decree,  that  whofoevcr  fhall  hereafter  openly  or 
willingly  defame  any  court  of  juftice,  or  the  fentence 
or  proceedings  of  the  fame,  or  any  of  the  magiftrates 
or  other  judges  of  any  fuch  court,  in  refped  of  any 
aft  or  fentence  therein  paffed,  and  being  thereof 
lawfully  convi6led  in  any  general  court  or  courts  of 
Afliftants,  (hall  be  punifhed  for  the  fame,  by  fine, 
imprifonment  or  banifhment,  as  the  quality  and 
meafure  of  the  offence  fhall  deferve. — Provided  al- 
ways, that  feeing  the  befl  judges  may  err  through 
ignorance  or  mifmformation— -it  is  not  the  intent  of 
this  court  to  reftrain  the  free  ufe  of  the  way  of  God, 
by  petition,"  &c. 

A  COMPLAINT  being  made  at  the  fame  time  that 
fomc  minifters  were  not  well  maintained,  the  cdurt 
fcnt  out  a  requcft,  "  That  the  feveral  churches  will 
"  fpeedily  enquire  hcreinto,  and  if  need  be  t©  con- 
"  fer  together  about  it,  and  fend  fome  to-  advife 
"  with  this  court  at  the  next  fefTion  thereof,  that 
*'  fome  order  may  be  taken  according  to  the  rule  of 

"  the 

^  MafTachufettt  Records.  Tt  appears  that  the  court  hai 
mu;h  dif&:uhf  afterward  with  Keayne  abcut  ihefc  armn. 


88     HISTORY  OF  TME   BAPTISTS 

•'  the  gofpel*."  The  efFecls  of  thefe  proceedings  we 
fhall  Ibon  fee  \   though  by  the  way  it  is  proper   to  ^ 
obferve,  that  as  Mr.  Williams  had  been  inflrumen- 
tal  of  procuring  the  Narraganfets  help  againft  the 
Pequods,  the  feveral  colonies  fent  oyt  their  forces 
againft  thenij  and   Governor  Winthrop  fays,    May 
24,  *'  By  letters  from    Mr.  Williams  we  were  no- 
tified, thatCapti  Mafon  was  gone  to  Saybrook  with 
80  Englifli  and   100  Indians/'  &c.  fo  that  he  waS 
conftantly  engaged    for  their  good  ^  the  army  was 
fuccefsful,  the  Pequods  were  fubdued,  and  I  find  a 
propofal  of  a  day  of  thankfgiving  for  the  foldiers 
return,    at   the   General    Court,    Auguft    i.    But 
at  the  fame  time  they  fay  *'  Mr.  John  Greene,  of 
New-Providence,  having  fpoken  againft  the  magi- 
ftrates  contemptuoufly,  ftands  bound   over  in    lod 
marks  to  appear  at  the  next  quarter  court."     AC 
that  court  he  was  fined  20I.  and  committed   till  it 
was  paid  •,  though  upon  a  fubmiflive  petition  to  the 
General  Court,  Sept.  26,  he  was  releafedf.     Hs 
with  others  had  reforted  to  Mr.  Williams's  planta- 
tion, to  which  there  was  a  great  addition  the  next 
fpring,  as  well  as  «  new  one  begun  at  Rhode-Iftand, 
of  which  take. the  following  account: 

Mr.  John  Clarke,  a  learned  phyficiatl,  who  I 
find  was  admitted  a  freeman  at  Bofton  May  6, 
3635,  as  his  brother  Jofeph  had  been  the  March 
before,  feeing  how  things  were  turned  at  the  court 
in  November,  1637,  he  made  a  propofal  to  his 
friends,  i6r  peace  fake ^  ^iud  to  enjoy  the  freedom  of 
their  confciences^  to  remove  out  of  that  iurifdi(5l:ion. 
The  motion  was  accepted,  and  he  (being  then  a 
gentleman  in  his  29th  year)  was  requefted  with 
fome  others  to   look  out  for  a  place ;  they  did  fo, 

and 

•  MafTachufetts  Records, 
t  Ibid. 


[1638.]      IN    NEW-ENGLAND.        89 

Bind  by  reafon  of  the  heat  of  the  preceding  fummer, 
they  ftrft  went  northerly  into  that  v/hich  is  now 
the  province  of  New-Hamp(hire  ;  but  the  coldnefs 
of  the  following  winter  made  them  incline  to  turn 
the  other  way.  "  So  having  fought  the  Lord  for 
dire(flion,  they  agreed  that  while  their  vefiel  was 
pafling  about  Cape-Cod  they  would  crofs  over  by- 
land,  having  Long-Ifland  and  Delaware  bay  in  their 
eye,  for  the  place  of  their  refidence.  At  Providence 
Mr.  Williams  lovingly  (entertained  them,  and  being 
confulted  about  their  dcfign,  readily  prefented 
two  places  before  them  ;  Sowams,  now  called 
Barringcon,  and  Aquecneck,  now  Rhode- Ifland. 
They  being  determined  to  go  out  of  the  other 
jurifdi<flions,  Mr.  Williams,  Mr.  Clarke,  and  two 
others,  went  to  Plymouth  to  enquire  how  the  cafe: 
flood  i  who  lovingly  entertained  them,  aftd  let 
them  know  that  they  claimed  Sowams,  but  ad- 
vifed  them  to  fettle  at  Aquetneck,  and  promifed 
that  they  (liould  be  looked  upon  as  free,  and  to  be 
treated  and  aflifted  as  loving  neighbours."  Upom 
their  return  eighteen  men  incorporated  themfelves 
into  a  body  politic,  and  chofe  Mr.  Coddington  to 
be  their  Judge  or  chief  magiftrate*.'* 

Now  to  take  things  in  their  order,  it  is  to  be 
obferved,  that  though  Mr.  Williams  and  a  few  of 
his  friends  had,  with  the  confent  of  the  NarraganfeC 
fachems,  been  fettled  at  Providence  near  two  years, 
yet  the  firft  deed  of  the  place  that  is  extant  bears 
date  the  fame  day  with  that  of  Aquetneck ;  and 
is  as  follows : 

"  At  Nanhigganfick  the  24th  of  the  firft  month, 
commonly  called  March,  in  the  2d  year  of  our 
plantation,  or  planting  at  Moofhaufick,  or  Providence : 
Memorandum,  that  we  Caunannicus  and  Mianti- 

*  Clarke's  Narrativc-^Callcjider's  Sermon. 

N  nomu; 


^^o      HISTORY   OF   THE   BAPTISTS 

iiomu,  the  two  chief  fachems  of  Nanhigganfick, 
having  two  years  fincc  Ibid  unto  Roger  Williams 
the  lands  and  meadows  upon  the  two  frelh  rivers 
called  Moofhaufick  and  Wanalkatuckctt*,  do 
now  by  thelc  prcfcnts  cftablifli  and  confirm  the 
bounds  of  thofe  lands,  from  the  rivers  ahd  fields  of 
Pautuckrti,  the  great  hill  of  Neoierconkenitt  on 
the  northweft,  and  the  town  of  Malhapauge  on  the 
Vefl:.  As  alfo,  in  confideration  of  the  many  kind- 
jiefTcs  and  fcrvices  he  hath  continually  done  for  us, 
both  for  our  friends  of  MafTachufetts,  as  alfo  at 
Quininkticutt  and  Apaum,  or  Plymouth  $  we  do 
freely  give  unto  him  all  that  land  from  thofe  rivers 
reaching  to  l^autuxett  river,  as  alfo  the  grafs  and 
meadows  upon  Pautuxett  river  •,  in  witnefs  whereof 
we  have  hereunto  fee  cur  hands  in  the  prefence  of. 
The  mark  of  J  Caunannicus, 
The  mark  of  [j  Miantinomu. 
The  mark  off  Seatagh, 
The  mark  of*  Assotemlwett. 

*'  i6^9,Memorandum,3  month  9  day,this'Was  all 
again  confirmed  by  Miantinomu  ',  he  acknowledged 
this  his  aft  and  hand  ;  up  the  ftream  of  Pautuckett 
and  Pautuxett  without  limits  we  might  have  for 
our  ufc  of  cattle  ;  witnefs  hereof, 

Roger  Williams, 
Benedict  ARNOLDf" 
The 

•  The  firft  of  thefe  rivers  falls  into  the  cove  above  Providence 
great  bridge  from  the  north,  the  other  from  the  weft. 

f  Lit  rally  tranfcribtd  from  Prouidente  Records,  Pawtucket 
river  rifeth  in  or  near  Rutland,  and  runs  through  Leicefter,  Sut- 
ton, Grafton  and  Uxbridge,  and  entering  Rhode  Ifland  coleny, 
paiTes  between  Smith£eld  and  Cumberland,  and  falls  into  Narra- 
^anfet  bay,  between  Providence  and  Rehoboth  Pawtuxet  rifea 
near  the  borders  of  Connefticut,  and  paffinj  through  Glou- 
c€fter,  Scituatc  and  Cranftpn,  falls  inp  fgid  bay,  five  roiics  foaph 
AffroYidenc?, 


[165S.]        IN    NEW.EN  GLAND.      ^z 

The  deed  of  Rhode- Ifland  was  alfo  given  the  fame 
March  24,  16.38  ;  and  20  years  after  Mr.  Williams 
having  occafion  to  give  his  teftimony  concerning 
it,  fays,  "  1  have  acknowledged  (and  have  and  fhall 
endeavour  to  maintain)  the  rights  and  properties  of 
every  inhabitant  of  Rhode-Ifland  in  peace  ;  yec 
fince  there  is  fo  much  found  and  noife  of  purchafe 
and  purchalers,  I  judge  i.  not  unfcafonable  to  de- 
clare the  rife  and  bottom  of  the  planting  of  Rhode^ 
Ifland  in  the  fountain  of  it:  Ic  was  not  price  nor 
mo'ey  that  could  have  purchafed  Rhode-Ifland. 
Rhode- liland  was  obtained  by  love  -,  by  the  love 
and  favour  which  that  honorable  gentleman  Sir 
Henry  Vane  and  myfelf  had  with  that  great  fachem 
Miantinomu,  about  the  league  which  I  .procured 
between  the  Maffachufetts  Englifli,  &c.  and  the 
Narraganfets  in  thePequod  war.  It  is  true  I  advifed 
3  gratuity  to  be  prefented  to  the  fachem  and  the  na- 
tives, and  becaufe  Mr.  Coddington  and  the  rell  of 
iny  loving  countrymen  were  to  inhabit  the  place, 
and  to  beat  the  charge  of  the  gratuities,  I  drew  up 
a  writing  in  Mr.  Coddington*s  name,  and  in  the 
names  of  fuch  of  my  loving  countrymen  as  came 
up  with  him,  and  put  it  into  as  fure  a  form  as  I 
could  at  that  time  (amongft  the  Indians)  for  the 
benefit  and  aflurance  of  the  prefent  and  future  in- 
habitants of  the  ifland.  This  I  mention,  that  as 
that  truly  noble  Sir  Henry  Vane  hath  been  fo  great 
an  infl:rument  in  the  hand  of  God  for  procuring  of 
this  ifland  from  the  barbarians,  as  alfo  for  procuring 
and  confirming  of  the  charter,  fo  it  may  by  all  due 
tnankful  acknowledgment  be  remembered  and  re- 
corded of  us  and  ours  which  reap  and  enjoy  the 
fweet  fruits  of  fo  great  benefits,  and  fuch  unheard 
of  liberties  amongft  us*." 

N  2  Mr; 

•  This  I  copied  from  the  original  manufcript,  in  Mr  Wi'U 
liams's  own  hand  writing,  dated  "  Providence,  25  6,  1658, 


92    HISTORY  OF   THE    BAPTISTS 

Mr.  Williams  having  obtained  the  aforefaid  grant 
of  Providence,  conveyed  the  fame  to  his  friends  by 
the  following  inftrument. 

"  Providence,  8th  of  the  8th  month,  1638  (focal- 
led.)  Memorandum,  that  I  Roger  Williams,  having 
formerly  purchafed  of  Caunannicus  and  Mianti- 
jiomu  this  our  fituation  or  plantation  of  New-Pro- 
vidence, viz.  the  two  frefh  rivers  Wanaiquatuckett 
and  Moofhaufick,  and  the  ground  and  meadows 
thereupon  ;  in  confideration  ot  thirty  pounds  receiv- 
ed from  the  inhabitants  of  faid  place,  do  freely  and 
fully  pafs,  grant  and  make  over  equal  right  and 
power  of  enjoying  and  difpofing  of  the  farrie  grounds 
and  lands  unto  my  loving  friends  and  neighbours, 
Stukely  Weftcoat,  William  Arnold,  Thomas  James, 
K<>bert  Cole,  John  Greene,.  John  Throckmorton, 
William  Harris,  William  Carpenter,  Thomas  Ol- 
ney,  Francis  Wefton,  Richard  Waterman,  Ezekiel 
Holliman,  and  fiich  others  as  the  major  part  of  us 
Ihall  admit  into  the  fame  fellowfhip  of  vote  with 
■us  :  As  alfo  I  do  freely  make  and  pafs  over  equal . 
right  and  power  of  enjoying  and  difpofing  of  the 
lands  and  grounds  reaching  from  the  aforefaid  rivers 
unto  the  great  river  Pautuxett,  with  the  grafs  and 
meadows  thereupon,  which  was  fo  lately  given  and 
granted  by  the  aforefaid  fachems  to  me  ;  witnefs  my 
hand,  Roger  Williams*.'* 

Those 

(fo  called)."      The  aiFair  of  procuring  the  charter  we  ihall  hear 
more  of  anon. 

•  Fro'videnet  Records.  It  feems  the  firft  deed  of  this  tenure  was 
loft,  therefore  this  was  drawn  as  exaftly  as  could  be  remembered 
in  1666.  Of  the  above  men,  OIney,  Wefton,  Weftcoat,  Water- 
man and  Holliman,  did  not  depart  the  MafTachufetts  colony  till 
April  1638.  Majfachufitts  Records.  They,  with  Throckmorton, 
casne  from  Salem.  MaJJachufetts  Hijiory,\o\.  I,  p.  42 1,  and 
uiordi  aforefaid.    Wefton  haU  been  a  deputy  in  court. 


[1638.]         iM  NEW-ENGLAND.      93 

Those  who  were  thus  received  figned  the  fol- 
lowing covenant,  viz. 

"  We  wliofe  names  are  here  underwritten  being 
"  defirous  to  inhabit  in  the  town  of  Providence,  do 
"  promife  to  fubmit  ourfelves  in  aflive  or  pafnve 
**  obedience  to  all  fuch  orders  or  agreeoients  as 
"  Ihall  be  made  for  public  good  of  the  body  in  an 
*'  orderly  way,  by  the  major  confent  of  the  pre- 
"  fent  inhabitants,  mafters  of  families,  incorporated 
'"  together  into  a  townfhip,  and  fuch  others  whom 
"  they  fhall  admit  unto  the  fame,  only  in  crcH 
"  things." 

By  the  records,  compared  with  a  more  ample  and 
full  deed  of  Mr.  Williams's  to  the  town,  executed 
December  20,  1661,  which  is  entered  there,  it  ap- 
pears that  he  generoufly   gave  the  aforefaid  twelve 
men  their  intereft  in  the  town  freely,  and  the  thirty 
pounds  were  paid  by  the  next  who  were  admitted,  at 
the  rate  of  thirty  fhillings  a  man,  the  names  of  vvhonl 
were  Chad  Brown,  William  Field,  Thomas  Harn?, 
William   Wickenden,    Robert   Williams,    Richard 
Scott,  William  Renolds,  John  Field,  John  Warner, 
Thomas  Angell,  Benedict  Arnold,  Jofhua  Winfor, 
Thomas  Hopkins,  Francis  Weeks,'*  &c*.      In  the 
laft  mentioned  deed,   after  referring  to  the  former 
ones,  and  exprcfling  that  the  fachcms  deed  was  two 
years  after  his  firft  purchafe,  he  more  fully  explains 
the  nature  and  motives  of  thofe  tranfa(5tions.      Says 
he,    *'  notwithftanding  I  had  the  frequent  promife 

"  of 

*  Of  thefe  I  find  Williams  (brother  to  Mr.  Roger)  among 
tVie  Maffachufetts  freemen,  but  no  more  of  their  names  upon 
thofe  records.  Perhaps  mod  of  them  might  have  newly  arrived; 
for  Governor  Winthrop  aflures  us  that  not  lefs  than  3000  arrived 
this  year  in  20  ihips  ;  and  Mr.  Hubbard  tells  us  that  thofe  who 
inclined  to  the  Baptift's  principles  went  ,to  Providence  ;  others 
went  to  Newport.  Seven  of  the  firft  twelve,  with  Angel],  I  fup- 
pofc  began  the  fettlcmcnt  with  Mr.  Williams  in  1636. 


54     HISTORY   OF    THE   BAPTISTS 

"  of  Miantinomu,  my  kind  friend,   that  it  fhould 
"  not  be  land  that  I  fhould  want  about  thofe  bounds 
'*  mencibntrd,   provided  that  I  fatisfied  the  Indians 
"  there   iniiabiting,    I   having  made   covenant  of 
"  peaceable  neighbourhood   with   all    the  fachcms 
"  ^ni  naeivcs  round   about    us,    and   having,  in   a 
"  {tn^ii  oi  God's,  merciful  providence  unto  me  in   my 
*'  dijlrefi,  called  the  place  Providence,   I  delired 
"  it  might  be  for  a  Jhdter  for  perfons   dijlrfffed  for 
•*  confcience  •,  /  then  confider.ing  the  condition  of  divers 
•'  of  my   countrymen^  I  communicated  my  faid  pur- 
*•  chafe  unto  my  loving  friends  John  Throckmorton, 
*'  and   others,    who    then    defued  to  take  fhelter 
•'  here  with  me.      And  whereas  by  God's  merciful 
*'  afiiilance  I  was   the   procurer   of  the    purchafe, 
^*  not  by  monies  nor   payment,    the  natives  being 
"  fo  fhy   and  jealous  that  monies  could  not  do  it, 
*'  out  by  that  language,   acquaintance  and  favour 
•'  with  the  natives,   and  other  advantages  which  it 
**  pleafed  God   to  give    me  ;    and   alfo    bore  the 
**  charges  and  venture  of  all  the  gratuities  which 
*'  I  gave  to  the  great  fachems,  and  other  fachems 
**  and  natives  round  about  us,  and  lay  engaged  for 
^'  a  loving  and  peaceable  neighbourhood  wi'h  them, 
**  to  my  great  charge  and  travel  j  it  was  therefore 
<*  thought  fit  that  I  (h^uld  receive  fome  confidera- 
**  tion  and  gratuity."      Thus,  after  mentioning  the 
faid   thirty    pounds,    and  faying,    ^*   this  fum    I 
*•  received  -,  and  in  love  to  my  friends,  and  with 
*<  refpeEl   to  a  town  and  place  of  fuccour  for  the  di- 
**  fireffed  as  nforefaid,  I  do  acknov^'legc  this  faid  fum 
•'  and  payment  a  full  fatisfa<5tiofi  ;"    he  went  on  ia 
full  and  ftrong   terms  to  confirm   thofe   lands   tp 
faid    inhabitants ;    referving    no  more  to  himfelf 
and  his  heirs  than   an  equal  lliare  with   the   reft  j 
his  wife  alfo  figning  the  deed. 

'I  TIWST 


[i63».]        IN    NEW-ENGLAND.       gs 

I  Trust  the  reader  will  cifcule  the  lt.)y;tH.  oF  thiis 
account,  when  he  tonfidcrs  that  thele  weiC  the  foun- 
dations of  a  now  flour  ifhing  colony-,  which  wa's  h\d 
upon  fuch  principles  as  no  other  civil  goveriinietvt 
ever  had  been,  as  we  know  of,  fitl^c  Aniichnli'S 
firft  appearance ;  "  and  Roger  WfLL'iAMs  juftly 
"  claims  the  honor  of  havii^g  been  the  firft  logiilitor 
•'  in  the  word,  in  its  latter  ages,  th  t  tuliy.  and  ef- 
*'  fedlually  provided  for  and  eftabliih<?d  a  free,  iuU 
'•  and  abfolute  Lib'irtV  of^CuNscrENCE*." 

None  might  have  a  voice  in  government  in  this, 
new  plantation,  who  v.'ould  not  'allow  tiiis  liberty. 
Hence  about  this  time  I  find  the  following  town 
aft,  viz.  "  It  was  agreed  that  Joihua  Verin,  upon 

breach 

*  ffi/iory  of  Providence,  The  M:iflachufetts  were  fo  far  from 
favouring  this  caufe,  that  their  General  Court  of  Marrh  iz, 
1638,  pafTcd  this  act,  viz.  "Whereas  a  letter  v/as  fen  t  unto 
this  court,  fubfcribed  by  John  Greene,  dated  from  New-Provi- 
dence, and  brought  by  one  of  that  Company,  wherein  the  cours 
la  charged  with  ufurping  the  poiver  of  Chrij}  cuer  the  Churches  and 
mens  conjaences,  notwithftanding  he  had  formerly  acknowledged 
his  faalt  in  fuch  fpeeches  by  him  before  ufed  ;  it  is  nowwrdered, 
that  the  faid  John  Greene  Hiall  not  come  into  this  jurifdiftion, 
upon  pain  of  imprifonment  and  further  cenfure.  i^nd  becaufeit 
appears  to  this  court  that  fome  others  of  the  fame  place  are  con- 
fident in  the  fame  corrupt  judgment  and  praftice,  it  is  ordered, 
that  if  any  other  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  faid  plantation  of 
Providence  (hall  come  within  this  jurifdi£lion,  they  fhali  be  ap- 
prehended, and  brought  before  fomc  oi  the  rapgiftrate-,  and  jf 
they  will  notdifclaim  the  faicf  corrupt  opinion  and  cenfure,  they 
fhall  be  commanded  prefently  todepart,  and  if  fuckperfons  fhail 
after  be  found  within  this  jurifdiftion  they  (hall  be  imprifoned, 
and   panifhed  as  the  court  (liall  fee  caufe." 

Mffjhchufetts  Records  > 

Lamentable  cafe  indeed  !  that  no  inhabitant  oi  that  infant 
plantation,  who  were  not  able  to  fend  out  fhipping  themfelves, 
*^^ght  go  into  the  colony,  where  many  of  the  neccffarie'-  as  well 
as  comforts  of  life  were  only  to  be  obtained  by  them  ;  bat 
they  muft  either  be  expofed  to  diffembic,  or  to  fufFer  impri- 
fonment, if  not  worfe  ;  for  how  could  they  honertiy  declare  that 
{iie  MalTachulitHs  did  not  «fnrp  a  power  over  men^s  eonfde aces ! 


96    HISTORY   OF   the   BAPTISTS 

.breach  of  covenant,  or  reftraining  liberty  of  con- 
fcicnce,  Hiall  be  withheld  from  the  liberty  of  voting 
till  he  fh all  declare  the  contrary/'  It  appears  from 
Mr.  Hubbard,  that  the  way  in  which  ht  rcftrained 
that  liberty  was,  in  not  letting  his  wife  go  to  Mr. 
Williams's  meeting  fo  often  as  ihe  was  called  for, 
Verin  foon  removed  to  Barbados,  and  left  his  in- 
tereft  in  Providence  in  fuch  a  Itate  as  has  caufed 
much  trouble  fince. 

We  will  now  turn  to  the  affairs  of  Khode-IQand 
people,  who  on  March  7,  1638,  figned  the  follow- 
ing inllrument :  "  We  whofe  names  are  under- writ- 
ten do  fwear  folemnly,  in  the  prefence  of  Jehovah, 
to  incorporate  ourfelves  into  a  body  politic,  and  as 
he  fhall  help  us,  will  fubmit  our  perfons,  lives  and 
eftates,  unto  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  the  King  of 
Kings,  and  Lord  of  Lords,  and  to  all  thofe  moft 
perftd:  and  abfolute  laws  of  his,  given  us  in  his  ho- 
ly word  of  truth,  to  be  ^ided  and  judged  thereby. 
Thomas  Savage^  JVill  am  Coddingtoriy 

William  Dyre^  Jo>-n  Clarke, 

IVilli'^-m  Freeberney  William  Hutchinfortt 

Philip  Sherman,  John  Coggjhall, 

John  IValkery  PFilliam  Afpinwally 

Richard  Carder,  Samuel  Wilbore^ 

William  Bauljiojie,  John  Porter, 

Edward  HutchinfoUi  fen.  Edward  Huichinfon,  jun. 
Henry  Bull,  John  Sanford\\:\ 

Randal  Holden^ 

This 

II  Colony  Rit»rJi,  Of  thefe  WilHsra  Hutchinron  died  on  the 
ifland ;  tbe  other  Hutchinfons,  Afpinwall  and  Savage,  went 
back,  got  reconciled,  and  were  promoted  in  the  MaflachHrett* 
colonf  afterward.  Near  all  the  others  were  confiderablf  pro- 
moted afterward  in  Rh'  df  Ifland  colony,  and  havi  pofleritf  liill 
remainiog  ihrrein.  All  but  two  of  the  above  nineteen  mev 
fvere  difarmed  by  the  femence  of  November  20,  1637.  and 
f?hicli  two  were  Ms^ieuri  Coddington  and  Holdcfi.    And  Mef- 

£eura 


[1638.]        iM    NEW-ENGLAND.      97 

This  was  doubtlefs  in  their  view  a  better  plan 
than  any  of  the  others  had  laid,  as  they  were  to  be 
governed  by  the  perfeft  laws  of  Chrift.  But  the 
qucftion  is,  how  a  civil  polity  could  be  fo  governed, 
when  he  never  created  any  fuch  ftate  under  the  gof- 
pel  ?  As  much  as  they  had  been  againft  the  legal 
covenant,  yet  they  now  went  back  to  the  firfl:  order 
of  government  after  Ifrael  came  into  Canaan,  and 
to  imitate  it  chofe  Mr.  Coddington  their  judge,  and 
Mr.  Nicholas  Eafton,  J.  Coggfhall,  and  William 
Brcnton,  elders  to  afTift  him.  This  form  continu- 
ed, till  on  March  12,  1640,  they  altered  it,  and 
chofe  Mr.  Coddington  Governor,  Mr.  Brenton 
Deputy-Governor,  and  Meflieurs  Eafton,  Cogg- 
fhall, William  Hutchinfon,  and  John  Porter,  AlTift- 
ants,  Robert  JefFerics  Treafurcr,  and  William 
Dyre  Secretary  j  which  form  continued  till  they  re- 
ceived a  charter. 

fieurs  Coddington,  Cogglhall,  Baulflon,  E.  Hutchinfon,  Wil* 
bore.  Porter,  Bull,  Sherman,  Freeborn  and  Carder,  were  all 
excluded  or  driven  out  of  the  Maffachufetts  colony  by  an  aft 
of  their  Aflembly,  on  March  iz,  1638,  in  thefe  words,  viz. 

•*  Whereas  you  have  defired  and  obtained  licence  10  remove 
yourfelves  and  your  families  out  of  this  jurifdiftion,  and 
for  that  information  hath  been  given  to  the  court,  that  your 
intent  is  only  to  wiciidraw  yourfelves  for  a  feafoh,  that  you  may 
avoid  the  cenfure  of  the  court,  for  Tome  things  that  may  be  ob» 
je6led  againft  you  j  the  c®urt  doth  therefore  fignify  unto  yoa 
that  you  may  depart  according  to  the  licence  given  you,  fo  as 
your  families  be  removed  before  the  next  General  Court.  But  if 
your  families  be  not  fo  removed,  then  you  arc  to  appear  at  the 
next  court,  to  abide  the  further  order  of  the  court  herein."  Mr. 
Nicholas  Eafton,  of  Newbury,  who  went  to  Newport,  and  Mef- 
fieurs  Francis  Wcllon,  Richard  Waterman,  Thomas  Olney,  and 
Stukely  Wellcoat,  of  Salem,  who  went  to  Providence,  were  alfo 
included  in  this  fentence.  Bcfide  thefe  there  were  William 
Lytherland,  Robert  Hardin-g,  John  Briggs,  George  Bardcn, 
John  Odlin,  Richard  Wayte,  and  others  that  were  difarmedat 
Bofton,  who  removed  into  this  colony,  and  have  lift  a  rcJpedtfal 
i-omembrance  therein. ' 

O  Bur 


^8     HISTORY   OF   THE   BAPTISTS 

But  before  we  proceed  further  upon  their  affairs, 
it  may  be  proper  to  oblcrve,  that  the  Affcmbly, 
who  met  at  Boiton,  September  6,  1638,  made  the 
two  following  laws. 

1.  "  Whereas  it  is  found  by  fad  experience, 
that  divers  perfons,  who  have  been  juftly  caft  out 
of  fame  of  the  churches,  do  profanely  contemn  the 
fame  facred  and  dreadful  ordinance,  by  prefenting 
themfelves  over-boldly  in  other  affemblies,  and 
fpeaking  lightly  of  their  cenfu.-  3,  to  the  great  of- 
fence and  grief  of  God's  people,  and  encourage- 
ment of  evil-minded  perfons  to  contemn  the  faid 
ordinance  -,  it  is  therefore  ordered,  that  whofoever 
fliall  ftand  excommunicated  for  the  fpace  of  fix 
months,  without  labouring  what  in  him  or  her  licth 
to  be  reftored,  fuch  perfon  Ihall  be  pfelented  to  the 
Court  of  Afiiftants,  and  there  proceeded  with  by 
fine,  imprifonment,  banilhmcnt,  or  further,  for  the 
good  behaviour,  as  their  contempt  and  obftinacy 
upon  full  hearing  fhall  deferve." 

2.  "  The  court  taking  into  confideration  the 
nccelTity  of  an  equal  contribution  to  all  common 
charges  in  towns,  and  obferving  that  the  chief  occa- 
fion  of  the  defeat  herein  arifeth  hence,  that  many 
who  are  not  freemen,  nor  members  of  any  church, 
do  take  advantage  thereby  to  withdraw  their  help, 
in  fuch  voluntary  contributions  as  are  in  ufe  -,  it  is 
therefore  hereby  declared,  that  every  inhabitant  in 
any  town  is  liable  to  contribute  to  all  charges  both 
in  church  and  commonwealth  whereof  he  doth  or 
may  receive  benefit ;  and  withal  it  is  alfo  ordered, 
that  every  fuch  inhabitant  who  fhall  not  voluntarily 
contribute  proportionably  to  his  ability  with  other 
freemen  of  the  fame  towoi,  to  all  common  cnarges, 
as  well  for  upholding  the  ordinances  in  the  churches 
at  otherwifc,  (hali  be  compelled  thereto  by  afTefT- 

ment 


[iSsZ.']      IN    NEW. ENGLAND.        99 

nnent  and  diftrefs,  to  be  levied  by  the  conftable  or 
other  officer  of  the  town,  as  in  other  cafes f." 

Here,  my  dear  countrymen,  let  us  make  a  little 
Jiaufe.  Not  long  fince,  in  the  prefence  of  a  num- 
ber of  gentlemen,  mention  was  made  of  the  former 
perfecutions  in  New- England,  upon  which  one  of 
their  legiflators  arofe  and  faid,  "  it  is  monflrous  cru- 
elty and  injuftice,  thus  to  rake  up  the  afhes  of  our 
good  fathers,  and  to  reproach  their  children  there- 
with, when  we  never  think  of  thole  tranfadiions  with- 
out grief  and  abhorrence !"  If  fo,  why  are  thofe 
deeds  imitated  by  our  prefent  rulers  ?  And  why  do 
the  people  love  to  have  it  fo  ?  Certainly  the  lupport 
of  good  order  and  government  in  the  church  is  of 
greater  importance  than  minifters  maintenance;  and 
to  vindicate  the  methods  then  taken  to  fupport  the 
former  of  thefe,  Mr.  Cotton  brought  that  plain 
text,  thou  jhalt  furely  kill  him^  becauje  he  hath  fought 
to  thruji  thee  away  fnm  the  Lord  thy  God ;  and,  faid 
he^  "  this  reafon  is  of  moral,  that  is,  of  univerfal 
*'  and  perpetual  equity  [1."  But  I  never  heard  any 
man  fay  fo  of  that  other  text,  thou  Jhalt  give  it  me 
nozv^  and  if  not,  I  will  take  it  by  force,  which  is  the 
molt  like  the  pracftice  of  many  in  this  generation  of 
any  thing  that  I  could  ever  find  in  our  bible.  Go- 
vernor Winthrop  informs  us,  that  the  next  May 
after  the  above  laws  were  pafTed,  Mr.  Cotton,  in 
preaching  from  Heb.  viii.  8,  taught  *'  that  when 
'*  magiftrates  are  forced  to  proceed  for  the  main- 
'*  tenance  of  minifters,  &c.  then  the  churches  are 
•'  in  a  declining  ftate.  Here  he  fhewcd  that  the 
"  minifters  maintenance  fhould  be  by  voluntary  con- 
"  tribution"  But  the  law  to  impower  their  execu- 
tive court  to  punifk  excommunicates,  for  difregard- 
ing  the  churches  authority,  was  repealed  the  next 

O  2  fall, 

t  MaiTachufetts  Records.    1!  Bloody  Tenet  waflied,  p.  67. 


'loo      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

fall,  while  that  to  maintain  minifters  by  afieiTment 
and  diftrefs  was  continued  in  full  force  •,  and  their 
pradice  upon  it  in  Watertown  moved  Nathaniel 
Brifcoe  to  write  a  book  againft  it,  the  confequencc 
of  which  was,  that  he  was  brought  before  the  quar- 
ter court  at  Boflon,  March  7,  1643,  ^"^  fined  ten 
founds ;  and  "  John  Stowers,  for  reading  of  divers 
**  offenfive  pafTagcs  (before  company)  out  of  a 
"  bock,  againft  the  officers  and  church  of  Water- 
*'  town,  and  for  making  difturbance  there,  was 
**  fined  forty  Ihillings."  This  fcverity  brought 
Brifcoe  to  a  public  acknowledgment,  and  then  his 
fine  was  remitted  to  forty  fhiilings,  "  and  that  to  be 
**  taken  §."  The  minifters  thus  left  it  to  the  (ecular 
arm  to  convince  him,  and  faid,  "  his  arguments 
*'  were  not  worth  the  anfwering  ;  for  he  that  fhall 
*'  deny  the  exerting  of  the  civil  power,  to  provide 
•'  for  the  comfortable  fubfiftence  of  them  that  preach 
*'  the  gofpel,  fufie  potitis  erudiendus,  quam  argumento^ 
*'  as  they  fay  of  them  that  are  wont,  negare  principia, 
**  let  him  that  is  taught  communicate  to  him  that  teach" 
•'  eth  in  all  good  things  f  ;  that  is,  he  that  fhall  deny 
fuch  an  exertion  of  power,  is  rather  to  be  taught  by 
a  cudgel  than  argument^  as  they  fay  of  them  who  are 
wont  to  deny  firji  principles.  But  let  us  take  heed 
that  we  arc  not  impofed  upon,  by  a  confounding  of 
two  things  together,  which  are  as  diftinft  in  their 
nature  as  light  and  darknefs  are,  namely  duty  itfelf, 
and  the  right  way  of  enforcing  of  it.  The  duty  of 
off^ering  daily  or  continual  thankfgivings  to  our  great 
creator,  and  of  a  liberal  communication  to  Chrift*s 
minifters  and  members,  are  both  czWed  facrijices  to 
Cody  in  Heb.  xiii.  and  why  do  our  rulers  negled  to 
cnforee  the  daily  exercife  of  family  worfhip,  by  the 

fame 

4  Manachufctts  Records. 

f  Hubbard-^MaffaghufcUJ  Hiilory,  vol.  i,  p.  427* 


[1638.]      IN  NEW-ENGLAND,     joi 

fame  fword  as  they  do  minifters  maintenance  ?  Is 
not  God's  honor  of  greater  concernment  than  men's 
livings  are  !  A  college  was  founded  thi&  year  in 
Newtown,  which  for  that  reafon  was  called  Cam- 
bridge •,  and  the  importance  of  receiving  learning  at 
that  or  like  places,  to  qualify  men  for  the  miniftry, 
has  been  much  infilled  upon  ever  fmce ;  and  thofe 
who  have  not  been  educated  at  fuch  places  have 
commonly  been  called  laymen.  And  among  the 
many  refieftions  that  have  been  caft  upon  them,  one 
is,  that  they  often  beg  the  queftion  in  argument. 
But  who  are  guilty  of  this  mean  fort  of  conduft  now  ? 
The  queftion  between  us  is  not,  whether  it  be  the 
duty  of  thofe  who  are  taught  to  communicate  unto 
their  teachers  or  not ;  but  it  is,  whether  that  duty 
ought  to  be  enforced  by  the  fword,  or  only  by  in- 
ftruftion,  perfuafion  and  good  example  ?  And  what 
have  learned  minifters  ever  done  towards  proving 
their  fide  of  the  queftion  better  than  begging  ! 

The  great  events  of  this  year  have  taken  up  con- 
fiderable  room,  yet  I  muft  requeft  a  place  for  a  few 
articles  more,  that  will  afFeft  the  following  part  of 
our  kiftory  J, 

On 

t  Mr.  Hanfard  KRolIyi  etme  over  in  the  fpriag  of  this  yeir, 
who  was  ordained  by  theBifhop  of  Peterborough  Jun^zp,  1629; 
but  he  fayi,  *<  about  the  year  1636  I  wat  profecuted  in  the  high 
CommifTton  court,  by  virtue  of  a  warrant,  wherewith  I  was  ap« 
prehended  in  Boflon  (in  Lincoln/hire)  and  kept  a  prifooer  is 
the  man's  houfe  who  (erved  the  warrant  upon  me  :  Bat  God 
helped  me  to  convince  him,  and  he  was  fo  greatly  terrified  in 
his  confcience,  that  he  fet  open  his  doors,  and  let  roc  go  away; 
but  before  I  went,  I  tarried  fo  long  ia  Loadon,  wailing  for  « 
pa/Tage,  that  when  I  went  aboard  I  had  but  juft  fix  brafi  farthing* 
left,  and  sio  filver  nor  gold,  only  my  wife  had  five  p«uads  that 
I  knew  not  of,  which  (he  gave  me  when  we  came  there.  By  th« 
way  my  little  child  died  with  convulfion  fits,  our  beer  and  water 
itanki  gur  bi&et  wju  moulded  asd  rott9i>,  tni  our  checfe  al^"* 

fa 


102     HISTORY  or  the  BAPTISTS 

On  June  5  Uncas,  the  fachem  of  the  Mohegan 
Indians,  "  having  entertained  lome  of  the  Pequods, 
came  to  the  Governor  at  Bofton  with  a  prcfent, 
and  was  much  dejedted  becaufe  at  firft  it  was  not 
accepted  -,  but  afterward,  the  Governor  and  Coun- 
cil being  fatisfied  about  his  innocency,  they  accept- 
ed it ;  whereupon  he  promifed  to  lubmit  to  the  or- 
ders of  the  Englifh,  both  touching  the  Pequods  he 
had  received,  and  as  concerning  the  differences  be- 
tween the  Narraganfets  and  himlelf ;  and  confirmed 
all  with  this  compliment-,  laying  his  hand  upon  his 

heart, 

fo  that  we  fufFered  much  hardfttip,  being  twelve  weeks  in  our 
pafTige  ;  but  God  was  gracious  to  us,  and  led  us  fafe  ih'ovgli 
the  great  deeps  ;  ard  ere  ne  went  on  {he  re  came  one  ard  enquir- 
ed /or  me,  and  told  me  a  friead  that  «va»  gone  from  Bofloa  to 
Rhode-Ifland  had  left  me  hii  houfe  to  fojourn  in,  and  to  which 
we  went,  and  two  families  more  with  us,  who  went  fuddanly  to 
iheir  friends  and  other  relations  in  the  coantrj ;  and  I  beieg  ve- 
17  poor,  was  neceffitated   to  wcrk  daily  with   my  hoe,  for  the 
fpace  of  almoil  three  viecks.      The  magiftrates  were  told  by  the 
niniftcri  that  I  was  an  Antia  ^miaa,  and  defued  they  would  nat 
fuffer  me  to  abid^^  in  (heir  pateii.      Bi)t     ithin  the  time  limited 
by  their  law  in  that  cafe,  two  ftrangers  coming  to   Boflon   from 
Fifcataqua,  hearing  o(  me  by  mere  ace  dent,  got  me  to  go  with 
ihem  tJ  that   plantation,   and  preach  there,    where  I  remained 
about  four  year*,  and  thca  being  fent  for  back  tu  England,  bjr 
my  aged  father,  I  returned  witb  my  wite  at  d  one  child,  about 
three  years  old,   and  {he  great  with  another.     We  came  fafe  to 
London  on  the  24th  of  December,  164.1   in  which  year  the  maf- 
facre  in  Ireland  brcke  forch,   ai  d  t  e  nez'  Tear  wars  brake  forth 
in  England,  between  King  and  Parliament."     Acteunt  ef  bit  eivm 
lifi.      He  embraced  the  Baptitl  principles,  gathered  a  church  of 
that  perfrtafjrin  in  London,  a^-d  ufcd  feldom  to  have  lefs  than  a 
thoufand  auditors.     He  baptized  Mr.  Hecry  JciTey,  an  emineot 
xniniiler  in  thst  city,  and  others  ;  fuffered   much   for  religioa, 
continued  p?{lor  of  'hat  church  till  he  died  in  London,  Septem- 
ber 19, 1 69 1,  aged  93«  Crojhj.     And  though  he  wai  reproached 
ji&  an  Antinomiaa,   yet   l^r,   Mather  fays  he  had  "  a  rcfpcdful 
•<  chara^erin  the  churches  of  this  wilderaef*-"  MagnaliOt  b.  3, 
p.  7.     After  his  return  to  Ergland,  '<  he  fufFercd  deeply  in  1.1^ 
**  caufe  of  nonconformity,  beirg  uaiverfally  efteemed  and  bdov- 
i'  ed  by  all  hii  brethren."   ^ca/,  vqI*  i^  p.  216. 


[163S.]      IN    NEW-ENGLAND.      103 

heart,  he  faid,  this  heart  is  not  mincy  but  yours ;  / 
isjid  never  believe  any  Indian  againjl^  the  Englijh  any 
more  -,  and  lb  he  continued  ever  atter. — tineas  was 
alive  and  well  in  the  year  1680*. 

Mr.  Cotton  had  entertained  a  favourable  opinion 
of  Mrs.  Hutchinfon,  and  when  (lie  was  upon  exa- 
mination before  the  court  that  banilhed  her,  he  was 
afkcd  what  he  thought  of  her  revelation  concerning 
her  deliverance  ?  He  replied,  "  if  fhe  doth  look  for 
for  deliverance  from  the  hand  of  God  by  his  provi- 
dence, and  the  revelation  be  in  a  word,  or  according 
to  a  word,  I  cannot  deny  it."  Upon  which  Mr.  En- 
dicot  faid,  "  you  give  me  fatisfadlion."  "  No,  no, 
(faid  Mr.  Dudley)  he  gives  me  none  at  all — You 
weary  me,  and  do  not  fatisfy  me."  Mr.  Nowcl. 
faid,  "  I  think  it  is  a  devililh  dclufion."  And  Go- 
vernor Winthrop  faid,  "  of  all  the  revelations  that 
ever  I  heard  of,  I  never  heard  the  like  ground  laid 
as  is  for  this.  The  enthufiafts  and  Anabaptijis  had 
never  the  like."  Mr.  Dudley  added,  "  I  never  faw 
fuch  revelations  as  thefc  among  Anabaptijis^  therefore 
am  forry  that  Mr.  Cotton  fhould  ftand  to  juftify 
hcrj"  and  he  and  others  of  the  court  would  have 
brought  him  upon  trial  alio,  but  the  Governor  pre- 
vented it  -{-. 

i  After  a  year's  confidcration,  Mr.  Cotton,  at  a 
pi^blicfaft,  December  13,  1638,  "  did  confefs  and 

i  bewail, 

•  WinthroP'—'HuhharJ.  Mr.  Hubbard  dates  his  coming  i« 
July,  but  I  follow  the  Governor  who  adted  in  the  affair.  Un- 
cas's  head  quarters  w^re  about  eight  miles  above  the  mcuth  of 
New-London  river,  on  the  weft  fide  of  it  ;  and  though  they,  as 
well  as  other  Indians,  are  greatly  diminilhed,  yet  a  confiderable 
fcody  of  that  tribe  remain  there  to  this  day.  In  1741  a  remark* 
»ble  work  of  God  was  wrought  among  them  ;  a  church  of 
Chriftian  Indians  was  afterward  gathered,  and  continaeS  there, 
manf  of  whom  give  great  evidence  of  true  pietjr.  Mr.  Samfcn 
Occum  is  of  that  tribe. 

t  Maflachufetts  Hiftorj,  vol.  2,p.  514,  515. 


i©4      iilSTORY  OF  the  BAPTISTS 

bewail,  as  the  churches,  fo  his  own  fecurity  and  crc-* 
dulity,  whereupon  fo  many  and  dangerous  errois 
had  gotte-n  up,  and  fpread  in  the  churches,  and 
went  over  all  the  particulars,  and  Ihewed  how  he 
came  to  be  deceived ;  the  errors  being  formed,  in 
words,  fo  near  the  truth  he  had  preached,  and  the 
falihood  of  the  maintainers  of  them  was  fuch,  as 
they  ufuaily  would  deny  to  him  what  they  had  de- 
livered to  others.  He  acknowledged  that  fuch  as 
had  been  feducers  of  others  (inftancing  in  fome  of 
thofe  of  Rhode-Ifland,  though  he  named  them  not) 
had  been  juftly  banifiied  •,  yet  he  faid  fuch  as  only 
had  been  mifled,  and  others  who  had  done  any  thing 
out  of  a  mifguidcd  confcience  (not  being  grofly 
evil)  Ihould  be  born  withal,  and  firft  referred  to  the 
church,  and  if  that  could  not  heal  them,  they  Ihould 
rather  be  imprifonedor  fined  than  banilhed,  it  being 
likely  that  no  other  church  would  receive  them.— 
If  he  were  not  convinced,  yet  he  was  perfuadeid  to 
an  amicable  compliance  with  the  other  minifters,  by 
a  ftudious  abftaining  on  his  part  from  all  expreflions 
that  were  like  to  be  ofFenfive  -,  for  although  it  was 
thought  he  did  ftill  retain  his  own  fenfe,  and  enjoy 
his  own  apprehenfion,  In  all  or  moft  of  the  things 
then  controverted  (as  is  manifcft  by  fome  expref* 
fions  of  his  in  a  trcatife  of  the  new  covenant,  fince 
publifhed  by  Mr.  Thomas  Allen,  of  Norwich)  yet 
was  there  an  healing  of  the  breach  that  had  been 
between  him  and  the  reft  of  the  elders,  and  a  putting 
a  ftop  to  the  courfe  of  errors  in  the  country  for  the 
future.  By  that  means  did  that  reverend  and  worthy 
minifter  of  the  gofpel  recover  his  former  fplendor 
throughout  the  country  of  New^England  J.'* 

This 

%  Winthrtp'-HuhbarJ.    Roger  Harlakcnden,  one  of  the  ma- 
giftrajfs^  died  av  Cambridge,  Novcwber  17,  ;his  >«»r,  Winthrot, 

Neir 


[i6^9-]       iN   NEW-ENGLANt).      lo^ 

This  year,  upon  an  occurrence.  Governor  Win- 
chrop  wrote  to  Mr.  Clarke  at  Aquetneck,  and  (tiled 
him,  "  a  phyfician  and  a  preacher  to  tliolc  of  thac' 
"  ifland." 

We  are  now  come  to  an  event  which  has  mado 
much  noifc  in  the  world,  I  mtan  Mr.  Williams's 
baptifm.  The  reader  may  remember  that  he  was 
charged  with  advancing  principles  at  Plymouth  that 
tended  to  Anabaprifm,  and  that  he  filled  Salem 
therewith ;  and  could  he  have  found  an  agreeable 
adminiftrator,  it  is  not  likely  that  he  would  have 
negle<5led  the  putting  of  this  principle  into  praifticc 
fo  long  as  he  did.  Ac  length,  being  in  fuch  a  ftate 
of  exile  in  a  heathen  land,  it  is  probable  he  conclud- 
ed that  the  cafe  about  baptifm,  which  Mr.  Robinlon 
recites,  was  applicable  to  tl.cirs,  which  is  in  thele 
words : 

"  Zanchy,  upon  the  fifth  to  theEphefians,  treat- 
**  ing  of  baptifm,  propounds  a  quedion  of  a  Turk 
**  coming  to  the  knowledge  of  Chrift,  and  to  faith, 
**  by  reading  the  new-teftament,  and  withal  teaching 
**  his  family,  and  converting  it  and  others  to  Chrift  -, 
**  and  being  in  a  country  whence  lie  cannot  eafily 
**  come  to  Chriftian  churches,  whether  he  may 
**  baptize  them,  whom  he  hath  converted  to  Chriit,- 
*'  he  himfelf  being  unbaptizcd  ?  He  anlwers,  I 
**  doubt  not  of  it  but  that  he  may,  and  withal  pro- 
**  vide,  that  he  himfelf  be  baptized  of  one  of  thtt 
*'  three  converted  by  him.  The  reaion  he  gives 
**  is,  becaufe  he  is  a  miniftcr  of  the  word  extraordi- 
**  narily  ftirrcd    up  of  Chnit  :    And  fo  as  fuch   a 

Near  tbe  fame  time  a  church  was  gathered  at  Exeter,  on  Pifca- 
taqua  river,  and  foon  after  Mr.  Wheelwright,  at  his  and  their 
rcquelt,  was  difmiifed  with  others  to  it,  fr«m  the  church  of 
Bofton,  and  beca^ne  their  miniftcr.  Hubiard.  Thefe  fadts  help 
to  diftovcr  the  fpirrt  of  thofe  timesi, 

1"*  "  minifter 


io6      HISTORY  of  tke  BAPTISTS 

**  miniftcr  may,  with  the  confent  of  that  fmall 
"  church,  appoint  one  of  the  communicanti,  and 
•'  provide  that  he  be  baptized  by  him*.'* 

Mr.  Williams  took  fuch  a  method,  with  only  this 
difference,  that  one  of  the  community  was  firft  ap- 
pointed to  baptize  him,  and  then  he  baptized  the 
reft  ;  for  Mr.  Hubbard,  fays  he,  "  was  baptized  by 
•*  one  Holliman,  then  Mr.  Williams  rebaptized  him, 
*'  and  fome  ten  more."  With  this  Governor  Win- 
throp  agrees,  and  fets  the  date  of  it  in  March,  16^9. 
The  Governor  called  Holliman  a  poor  man,  and 
Hubbard  ftiles  him  a  mean  fellow ;  but  after  the 
year  1650  I  find  him  more  than  once  a  deputy  from 
the  town  of  Warwick  in  their  General  Court.  The 
above  gentlemen  reprefent  that  Mrs.  Hutchinfon*! 
fifter,  the  wife  of  one  Scott,  ftirred  Mr.  Williams  up 
to  this  a(5bion  ;  though  afterward  Mr.  Hubbard  does 
not  pretend  to  certainty  as  to  that,  and  fays  it  wai 
difficult  for  one  to  give  an  exadt  account  ef  their 
religious  affairs  in  that  colony,  that  did  not  live 
among  them  i  and  it  is  certain  that  he  and  the  Go- 
vernor were  both  miflaken  in  calling  "  thofe  of 
Providence  all Anahaptijis"  For  it  appears  from 
under  Mr.  Williams's  own  hand,  fcventeen  years 
after,  that  Arnold  and  Carpenter,  two  of  the  firfl 
twelve,  were  not  fuch  J;  neither  have  I  met  with 
any  proof  that  Gorton,  Wcfton  or  Waterman, 
who  went  to  Warwick,  were  ever  of  that  denomi- 
nation f. 

Before 

•  Rob!nfofi*s  tnfwer  toBernird,  p.  422. 

J  Maflachufctts  Hiflory,  vol,  3,  p.  277. 

t  This  Baptift  church  at  Providence  appearj  to  be  the  fecond 
di(lin£l  fociety  of  that  denomination  in  all  the  Briiiih  erfipire. 
There  had  been  many  of  them  intermixed  with  other  focieties 
from  their  firft  coming  out  of  Popery,  but  their  firft  diftia<ft 
church  in  our  nation  was  formed  out  of  the  independent  church 
U  London,  wherwf  Mr.  Henry  Jacob  wai  p*ftof  from  1616  to 


0639]        IN    NEW-ENGLAND.      107 

Before  this  time  Mr.  Peters  was  got  to  be  minU 
ftcr  of  Salem,  and  he  wrote  to  the  church  of  Dor- 
chefter  on  July  i,  this  year,  to  acquaint  them  thac 
their  "  great  cenfure"  was  paft  upon  Roger  Williams 
and  his  wife,  John  Throgmorton  and  his  wife, 
Stukely  Weftcot  and  his  wife,  Mary  Holliman,  and 
the  widow  Rcves,  and  that  all  but  two  of  thefc  were 
rcbaptized  J. 

Bcfides  the  above  men,  wc  are  well  informed  that 
William  Wickenden,  Chad  Brown,  and  Gregory 
Dexter,  were  of  this  Baptift  church  in  Providence, 
and  in  1765  Governor  Hopkins,  who  is  not  a  Bap- 
tift, faid,  "  this  firft  church  of  Baptifts  at  Provi- 
*'  dence  hath  from  its  beginning  kept  itfelf  in  rc- 
*'  pute,  and  maintained  its  difcipline  to  this  day  j 
**  hath  always  been,  and  ftill  is,  a  numerous  con- 
*'  gregation,  and  in  which  I  have  with  plcafurc  ob- 
•'  lerved  very  lately  fundry  dcfcendents  from  each 
'*  of  the  above  named  founders,  except  Holliman*." 
It  feems  he  removed  away. 

I  am  fenfible  that  this  teftimony  is  very  different 
from  the  accounts  of  many  New-England  hiftorians, 

P  2  who 

1624,  when  kc  went  to  Virginia,  and  Mr.  John  Lethrop  wa» 
ckofen  in  his  room.  Prince' t  Chr$nology.  But  Bine  years  aftert 
*'  fev«ral  perfons  in  tlie  rociety,  finding  that  the  congregation 
kept  not  to  their  firft  principles  o{  reparation,  and  being  alfo  con- 
vinced that  haptijm  was  not  to  be  admioiilred  to  infantt^  but 
fiich  only  as  profefied  faith  in  Chrift,"  deftred  and  obtaiaect 
libercj,  and  formed  themfeh'es  into  a  diftinA  church,  Sept.  12, 
1633,  having  Mr.  John  Spilftury  for  their  minifter.  A  fccond 
Baptift  church  was  coafticuted  in  London  this  year,  but  J  believe 
later  in  the  year  than  ours  at  Providence.  Crojby's  Hiftory,  vol. 
I,  p.  148,  149.  Mr.  Lothrop  came  over  to  Bofton  in  1634,  was 
minifter  a  while  at  Scituate,  and  then  at  Barnftable.  IVinthropt 
—  Princt* 

X  MafTachufetts  Hiftory,  vol.  i,  p.  421. 

•  Hiftory  of  Providenceo  Olney  and  Dexter  were  niach  im« 
graved  m  iheir  day  in  public  o^ces  ia  the  colony* 


2o8      HISTORY  OF  thi  BAPTISTS 

vcho  reprefent  that  the  church  foon  broke  up,becaufe 
Mr.  Williams  did  net  walk  long  with  it.  His  ftop 
in  that  travel  Governor  Winthrop  mentions  in  July 
following;  and  Richard  Scott,  who  afterward  turn- 
ed to  the  Quakers,  fays,  "  I  walked  with  him  in 
*'  the  Baptijis  way  about  3  or  4  months,  in  which 
*'  time  he  brake  from  the  iociety,  and  declared  at 
*'  large  the  ground  and  reafons  of  it  j  that  their 
*'  baptifm  could  not  be  right,  becaufe  it  was  not 
**  adminiftred  by  an  apoftle.  After  that  he  let 
**  upon  a  way  oi feeking  (with  two  or  three  ot  them 
"  that  had  diflcntcd  with  him)  by  way  of  preaching 
*'  and  praying  -,  and  there  he  continued  a  year  or 
"  two,  till  two  of  the  three  left  him.  I'hat  which 
**  took  moft  with  him  was  to  get  honor  amongft 
**  men.  After  his  fociety  and  he  in  a  church  way 
''•*  were  parted,  he  then  went  to  England,  and  there 
*^  got  a  charter;  and  coming  from  Bofton  to  Pro- 
*'  vidence,  at  Scaconk  the  neighbours  of  Provi- 
*'  dence  met  him  with  fourteen  canoes,  and  car- 
'*  ried  him  to  Providence.  And  the  man  being 
V  nemmed  in  the  middle  of  the  canoes,  was  lb 
*'  elevated  and  tranfported  out  of  himfelf,  that  I 
*'  was  condemned  in  myfelf,that  amongtl  the  reft  I 
*'  had  been  an  inftrumcnt  tofet  him  up  in  his  pride 
•'  and  folly. — Though  he  profeiTcd  liberty  cf  con- 
*■*  fcience^  and  was  fo  zealous  for  it  at  thefirft  coming 
*'  home  of  the  charter^  that  nothing  in  government 
*'  muft  be  afted  till  that  was  granted  -,  yet  he  could 
•'  be  the  forwardeft  in  their  government  to  profecute 
"  againft  thofe  that  could  not  join  with  him  in  it; 
*'  as  witnefs  his  prefenting  of  it  to  the  court  at 
*»  Newport f.** 

Thus  Quakers,  as  well  as  P^edobaptifts, could  caft 
out  hard  refieftions  againft  him  ;  whether  juftly  or 

not, 

t  Scott'$  letter  in  Ceorgc  Fox's  anfwcjr  t«  Wiiliamis,  \()Tl% 

p.  247. 


[1639.]      IN    NEW-ENGLAND.       109 

not,  the  reader  when  he  has  heard  the  whole  flory 
will  judge.  At  prefcnt  I  would  only  remark,  that 
this  man  had  been  Mr.  Williams's  neighbour  38 
years  when  he  wrote  this  letter,  and  the  Ipirit  of  ic 
fully  proves  that  he  was  not  prejudiced  at  all  in  his 
or  the  Baptift's  favour ;  yet  the  fafts  according  to 
him  were,  that  but  two  or  three  perfons  went  off 
with  Mr.  Williams,  leaving  the  reft  in  a  church 'way 
ftill ;  neither  does  he  fay  a  word  of  Mr.  Williams's 
cxpedling  to  be  an  apoftle  himfclf.  Indeed  as  to 
that  point,  Mr.  Huboard  goes  no  further  than  to 
fay,  "expelling  (as  was  fuppofcd)  to  become  an 
apoftle ;"  and  Governor  Winthrop  has  the  fame 
parenthcfis ;  fo  that  it  was  no  more  than  a  fupfoft- 
tion  in  that  day,  but  a  late  hiftorian  has  delivered  it 
off  as  fadl,  without  the  paren thefts ;  and  Dr.  Mather, 
from  his  grandfather  Cotton,  fays  they  "  broke 
**  forth  into  Anabaptifm^  and  then  to  Antihaptifm 
"  and  Famiiifmi  and  now  finally  into  tio  church  at 
*'  <2// J."  Such  naked  untruths  have  one  generation 
after  another  told  about  thefc  people ! 

An  evident  caufe  of  Mr.  Williams's  refraining 
from  a  farther  proceeding  in  church  ordinances,  was 
an  apprehenfion  of  the  necefFity  of  a  vifMe  fuccejfion 
of  regular  ordinations  from  the  apoftles,  to  impower 
men  to  it,  which  fueccflion  he  could  not  find  :  Yet, 
how  fond  are  many  minifters  in  our  day  of  thisy«r- 
ce^ive  notion  ?  A  minifter's  preachring  upon  it  was 
vindicated  in  the  Bofton  Evening-Poft  of  May  9, 
1774,  which  inforitis  us  that  the  preacher  faid, 
"  God  the  Father  fent  forth  the  Son ;  he  fent  forth  the 
**  apoftles  as  the  Father  fent  him  ;  they  fent  forth 
**  others,  with  command  to  commit  thefe  things  to 
'^'-  faithful  men.  And  the  preacher  faid  that  Chrift 
*'  had  never  committed  this  power  (to  put  into  office) 

"  to 

%  Magnalia,  b.  7,  p.  9. 


iitj     HISTORY  OP  THE  BAPTISTS 

"  to  any  but  fuch  as  were  in  office ;  and  confc* 
**  qucncly  no  other  had  a  power  to  put  out  of  office." 
But  I  am  not  afraid  boldly  to  aflert,  that  I  verily 
believe,  according  to  this  dodtrinc,  there  is  not  a 
miniller  this  day  under  heaven  but  what  mud  (top 
from  adminiftring  baptifm,  as  Mr.  Williams  did,  if 
they  were  as  bonejl  as  he  was.  A  minifter  in  Con- 
necticut a  few  years  ago  publifhed  a  pamphlet  to 
iupport  the  above  opinion ;  wherein,  to  get  over 
the  difficulty  that  arifes  for  want  of  any  proof  of  fuch 
a  lineal  fucceffion,  he  obfervcd  that  none  under  the 
law  were  to  be  priefts  but  the  lawful  pofterity  of 
Aaron  ;  yccfuppofing  a  baftard  fon  of  that  family 
fiiould  have  pofterity,  in  fo  long  a  fucceffion  that 
the  knowlcdgeof  his  illegitimacy  was  loft,  healferted 
tiiat  fuch  priefts  might  well  be  admitted  into  office 
with  others.  According  to  which  dodrine,  know- 
lidge  muft:  be  very  detrimental  to  fuch  priefl:s,  and 
ignorance  muft  be  the  mother  of  fuch  devotion.  The 
minifter  who  publifhed  faid  pamphlet  is  a  truftee  of 
■Yale  College  ;  and  likely  he  is  better  acquainted 
■with  philofophy  and  fchool  divinity  than  he  is  with 
his  bible,  or  elfe  he  would  have  known  that  Ezra 
the  priejiy  a  fcribe  of  the  law  of  the  God  of  heaven  (in 
diftinftion  from  ail  earthly  gods)  refufed  to  admit  or 
fuffer  men  upon  negatives :  And  fuch  as  fought^  but 
could  not  find  their,  register,  were^ss  poliuted,  put 
from  the  priefibeod.  Ezra  ii.  62.  And  if  wc  review 
the  text  that  is  now  fo  much  harped  upon,  we  fhall 
iind  that  the  apojlolic  fuccejjion  is  in  the  line  oi  faithful 
merf^  and  no  others  are  truly  in  it,  though  falfe  hre- 
thrm  have  fometimes  crept  in  unawares. 

Mr.  John  Spilfbury,  paftor  of  the  firft  Baptift 
church  in  London,  fays,  "  becaufe  fome  think  to 
**  fhut  up  the  ordinance  of  God  in  fuch  a  ftrair,  that 
«  none  can  come  by  it  but  through  the  authority 

'        of 


[1639]      w    NEW-ENGLAND.       lit 

**  of  the  popedom  of  Rome  %  let  the  reader  confi- 
•*  der  who  baptized  John  the  Baptift  before  he  bap- 
**  tized  others,  and  if  no  man  did,  then  whether  he 
*'  did  not  baptize  others,  he  hittifelf  being  unbap- 
**  tized.  We  arc  taught  by  this  what  to  do  upon 
**  the  like  occafion.  I  fear  men  put  more  than  is 
•*  of  right  due  to  it,  that  fo  prefer  it  above  the 
*'  church,  and  ali  other  ordinances  j  for  they  can 
*♦  affume  and  ereft  a  church,  take  in  and  caft  out 
**  members,  eleft  and  ordain  officers,  and  admini- 
**  fter  t\\e /upper,  and  all  anew,  without  looking  after 
"  fuccejji&n,  any  further  than  the  fcriptures  j  but  as 
•*  for  baptifm,  they  muft  have  that  fuccelTively  from 
"  the  apolHes,  though  it  comes  through  the  hand* 
•*  of  Pope  7^fl«.  What  is  the  caufe  of  this,  that 
"  men  can  do  all  from  the  word  but  only  bap- 
«*  tifm  ?'* 

The  learned  Mr.  John  Tombs  alfo  in  that  dajr 
produced  the  foregoing  paiTage  from  Zanchy,  for 
the  fame  purpofe  that  I  have  now  done*. 

I  would  juft  add,  that  though  the  exprefs  rule  tA 
Ifracl  was,  that  every  male  muft  needs  becircumcifea 
at  eight  days  old,  or  be  cut  off  from  their  people, 
yet  this  general  rule  was  fo  far  difpenfed  with  in  ft 
particular  cafe,  that  cifcumcifion  was  omitted  forty 
years  in  the  wildernefs;  and  multitudes  of  them 
ftood  before  God,  and  entered  into  or  renewed  their 
father  Abraham's  covenant  in  the  plains  of  Moab, 
who  yet  were  not  circumcifed  till  after  they  came 
over  Jordan.  Deut.  xxix.  Jolhua  v.  4-**7.  But  the 
Chriftian  church  had  been  through  a  woric  wildcrncfs 
than  that  of  Arabia,  between  the  apoftolic  age  and 
that  we  are  now  treating  of;  therefore  that  ancient 
example  feems  to  give  light  in  the  cafe  before  us. 

Mr, 


112     HISTORY  or  the  BAPTISTS 

Mr.  Pelatiah  Mafon,  who  was  born  near  Provi- 
dence ferry  in  1669,  told  his  fons  (three  of  whom 
are  now  public  preachers  in  Swanzey)  that  he  heard 
from  the  fathers  of  that  day,  that  m  the  trial  they 
then  had,  they  heard  that  the  Queen  of  Hungary, 
or  fome  in  thofc  parts,  had  a  regifter  of  a  regular 
fuceeflion  from  the  apoftles,  and  had  thoughts  of 
fending  Mr.  Thomas  Olney  (who  fucceeded  Mr. 
Williams  as  their  paftor)  into  that  country  for  it  ; 
but  at  length  concluded  that  fuch  a  courlc  was  not 
expedient,  but  believing  they  were  now  got  into  the 
right  way,  determined  to  perfeverc  therein. 

^Mr.  Hubbard  fpeaking  of  that  colony  fays,  "  as 
to  matters  of  religion,  it  was  hard  to  give  an  exaft 
account  to  the  world  of  their  proceedings  therein, 
by  any  who  have  not  been  converfant  with  them 
from  the  beginning  of  their  plantations ;  yet  this 
was  commonly  faid  by  all  that  ever  had  any  occa- 
fion  to  be  among  them,  that  they  always  agreed  in 
this  principle,  ibai  »9  man  or  company  of  men  ought 
to  be  moiejied  by  the  civil  power  upon  the  account  ef  re- 
ligiin^  or  for  any  opinion  received  or  fra^ijed  in  any 
matter  •f  that  nature  •,  accounting  it  no  fmall  part  of 
their  happinejs  that  they  may  therein  be  left  to  their 
own  liberty  j  by  which  means  the  inhabitants  are  of 
many  different  perluafions.  But  what  tendency  that 
liberty  had,  by  fo  long  experience,  towards  the  pro- 
moting of  the  power  of  godlinefs,  and  ptirity  of 
religion,  they  are  beft  able  to  judge  that  have  had 
occafion  to  be  mod  converfant  amongft  chem." 

By  this  and  many  other  paflages,  that  learned 
writer,  as  well  as  Governor  Winthrop,  dilcovered 
more  candor  of  mind  toward  Mr.  Williams  and 
Khodc-Ifland  colony,  than  almoft  any  other  of  the 
IVfafTachufetts  writers  have  ever  done,  firll  or  laft. 
Mr.  Hubbard  fays,   "  at  Rhode-llland  they  gather- 

•^    «d 


[1%.]      iu   kEW-ENGLANI».      it^ 

ed  a  church,  but  in  a  very  difordercd  way  j  taking 
in  Ibme  excommunicate  perfons,  and  others  which' 
were  members  of  the  church  of  Bollon,  but  not  dif- 
miffed  j-^yet  had  they  afterwards  one  Mr.  Clarke 
for  their  minifter,  who  had  been  bred  to  learning." 

At  the  General  Court  at  Bofton,  March  13,  1639, 
**  John  Smith,  fot  difturbing  the  public  peace,  by- 
combining  with  others  to  hinder  the  orderly  gather^' 
i«g  of  a  church  at  Weymouth^  and  to  fet  up  another 
there,  contrary  to  the  orders  here  eftabiifhed,  and 
the  conftant  praftice  of  all  our  churches,  and  for 
undue  procuring  the  hands  of  many  to  a  blank  for 
that  purpofe,  is  fined  20 1.  and  conimittcd  during  . 
the  pleafure  of  the  court  or  the  council, 

"  Richard  Silvefter,  for  going  with  Smith  to  get 
hands  to  a  blank,  was  disfranchifcd  and  fined  forty 
ftiillings'. 

"  AmbrofcMortonjfor  calling  the  church  cove- 
hint  a  (linking  carrion,  and  a  human  invention,  and 
faying  he  wondered  at  God's  patience,  feared  it 
would  end  in  the  Iharp,  and  faid  the  minifters  did 
dethrone  Chrift  and  fct  up  themfelves,  he  was  fined 
10 1.  and  courifelled  to  go  to  Mr.  Mather  to  be  irf- 
ftrudled  by  him*.  Thomas  Mackpeace,  bccaufc 
of  his  novel  difpofition,  v/as  informed  we  were  wea= 
ry  of  him  unlefs  he  ireformed. 

"  The  fourth  of  the  2d  mdnth  was  thought  Ee 
for  a  day  of  humiliation,  to  feck  the  face  of  God, 
and  reconciliation  with  him  by  bur  Lord  jefus  Chri(l 
in  all  the  churches.  Novelties,  oppreiTion,  Atheifm» 
excels,  fuperfluity,  idlenefs,  contempt  of  authority^ 
and  troubles  in  other  parts,  to  be  remembered. 

"  Mr.  Robert  Lenthal,  upon  his  free  acknow- 
ledgment under  his  hand,  given  into  the  court,  was 

♦  Mr.  Rickard  Mather,  of  Dorchefler. 

,  Q^  appointed 


JI4     HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

appointed  to  appear  at  the  next  court,  and  enjoined 
to  acknowledge  his  fault,  and  give  latisfa(flion  to  the 
church  ai  Weymouth,  and  to  give  a  copy  of  that 
he  gave  into  the  court  to  the  church  of  VVeymoufh. 

"  John  Smith  and  John  Spur  are  bound  in  40I. 
to  pay  20 1.  the  firlt  day  of  the  next  court*." 

Mr.  Lenthal  went  to  Rhode-Ifland,  was  admitted 
a  freeman  there  on  Auguil  6,  £  640  j  and  he  kept 
fchool  and  preached  there  for  a  while,  but  before 
March,  1642,  w^as  gone  for  England.  The  firlt 
fettlement  of  the  ifland  began  the  fame  fpring 
they  purchafed  it,  the  fecond  the  fpring  after  ;  the 
latter  of  which  was  named  Newport,  on  May  16, 
1639  •,  the  other  was  called  Porcfmouth,  at  a  general 
court,  March  12,  1640. 

At  a  General  Court  at  Bofton,  Ofb.  8,  1640,  "  it 
is  ordered,  that  the  letter  lately  fent  to  the  Governor 
by  Mr.  Eaton,  Mr.  Hopkins,  Mr.  Haynes,  Mr. 
Coddington,  and  Mr.  Brenton,  but  coming  alfo  to 
the  General  Court,  fhall  be  thus  anfwqred  by  the 
Governor,  that  the  court  doth  a/Tent  to  all  the  pro- 
portions laid  down  in  the  aforcfaid  letter,  but  that 
the  anfwer  Iha^l  be  diredcd  to  Mr.  Eaton,  Mr. 
Hopkins  and  Mr.  Haynes  only,  excluding  Mr.  Cod- 
dington 

•  Majachufeits  Records.  Their  crime  was  this,  Mr.  Lenthal 
held,  '*  that  only  baptifm  was  the  door  of  entrance  into  'the 
"  vifible  church  ;  the  common  fort  of  people  did  eagerly  em- 
*'  brace  his  opinion,  and  fome  laboured  to  get  fuch  a  church  on 
*'  foot,  as  all  baptized  ones  might  communicate  without  any 
**  furfher  trial  of  them  :  for  this  end  they  procured  many  hands 
*'  in  Weymoath  to  a  blank,  intending  to  have  Mr.  Lenthal's 
*'  advice  to  the  form  of  the  call. — Mr.  Lenthal,  having  before 
**  conferred  with  fome  of  the  magillrates  and  minifters,didopen- 
*'  ly  and  freely  retrad — fo  the  court  forbore  any  further  cenfure, 
'•  though,  it  was  mwch  urged  by  fome."  Hubbard.  The  next 
court  Smith  was  Jfina<l  %\.  more  for  contempt ;  but  upon  making 
his  fubmiffion,  and  prefeniing  his  ntoney,  he  got  rcleafcd  by 
pa/ing  J  5  i,     Maffachvjitti  Records. 


[1640.]      IN  NEW-ENGLAND.        1x5 

dington  and  Mr.  Brenton,  as  men  not  to  be  capitu- 
lated withal  by  us,  either  for  themfelves  or  the  peo- 
ple of  the  ifland  where  they  inhabit,  as  their  cafe 
ftandeth*,"  Eaton  was  of  New-Haven,  die 
other  of  Connefticut,  which  had  no  more  of  a 
charter  from  England  than  Rhode-Ifland  had  -, 
therefore  it  was  a  difference  about  religious  affairs  ^ 
that  caufed  this  partiality. 

"  Our  neighbours  of  Plymouth  had  procured 
"  from  hence  this  year  one  Mr.  Chauncy,  a  great 
**  fcholar  and  a  godly  man,  intending  to  call  him 
*'  to  the  office  of  a  teacljer;  but  before  the  fit  time 
**  came,  he  difcovercd  his  judgment  about  baptifm, 
•*  that  the  children  ought  to  be  dipt,  and  not/prink" 
*'  lid.  There  arofe  much  trouble  about  it.  The 
**  magiftrates  and  the  elders  there,  and  the  moft  of 
"  the  people,  withftoodthe  reviving  of  that  pra5]icey 
"  not  for  itfelf  io  much  as  for  fear  of  worfe  Gonfe- 
*'  quences  j  as  the  annihilating  our  baptifm,  &;c. 
*'  Whereupon  the  church  there  wrote  to  all  the 
**  other  churches,  both  here  and  at  Connefticut,  &c. 
•*  for  advice,  and  fent  Mr.  Chauncy*s  arguments. 
**  The  churches  took  them  into  confideration,  and 
"  wrote  feveral  anfwers,  wherein  they  Ihewed  their 
•'  diffent  from  him,  and  clearly  confuted  all  his 
**  arguments  j'—yet  he  could  not  give  over  his 
"  opinion  j  and  the  church  of  Plymouth,  being 
•'  much  taken  with  his  able  parts,  were  very  loth  to 
"  part  with  him.  He  did  maintain  alfo  that  the 
*'  Lord's  fupper  ought  to  be  adminiftred  in  the 
"  evening,  and  every  Lord*s  day.  And  the  church 
*'  at  Sandwich  (where  one  Mr.  Leveridge  was  mi- 
*'  nifter)  fell  into  the  pradice  of  it.     But  that  being 

Q^a  *'  a  matter 

*  Maffachufetts  Reenrdi.  They  at  this  court  granted  to  Mr< 
John  Winchrop,  junior,  all  their  right  to  Fifher's  Ifland^  whick 
Sill  belongs  to  his  poflcrity. 


Ii6    HISTORY  or  THE  BAPTISTS: 

"  a  matter  of  rfo  great  ill  confequence,  favc  foroe 
V  outward  inconvenience,  there  was  little  ftir  about 
*'  it.  This  Mr.  Chauncy  was  after  called  to  office 
**  in  the  church  of  Scituate*." 

At  a  quarter  court  at  Bofton,  Dec.  i,  "  the  juryr 
found  Hugh  Buct  to  be  guilty  of  herefy,  and  that 
his  perfon  and  errors  are  dangerous  for  infection  of 
Others.  It  is  ordered  that  the  laid  Hugh  Buet  (hould 
l^e  gone  out  of  our  jurifdi6tion  by  the  24th  prefenr, 
"Upon  fain  of  deaths  and  not  to  return  upon  pain  of 
Ipeing  batiged."  This  is  the  firft  inftance  that  I  find 
Vpon  the  Mafifachufetts  records  of  banifhment  for 
herefy  upon  this  penalty.  Two  years  before  they 
banifhed  three  perfonjs  at  once,  on  pain  of  death,  for 
adultery.  The  records  give  no  account  of  what 
Bust's licrefy  was,butGovernorWinthrop  fays,  it  was 
*'  for  holding  he  was  free  from  original  fui,  and 
from  adyal  alfo,  for  half  a  year  before,  and  for  hold- 
ing  that  true  Chriftians  arq  enabled  to  live  without 
<;ommitting  adlual  fin." 

The  learned  and  pious  Mr.  Henry  Dunftar  cama 
over  this  fummer,  and  on  Augufl:  27  was  choferi 
Prefident  of  Harvard  College,  which  fiourifhed  under 
his  care  and  influence  fourteen  years ;  till  having 
openly  renounced  infant  baptifm,  fuch  a  temper  was 
manifefted  againft  him  on  that  account,  that  he  re- 
fjgned  that  officef."  About  this  time  it  appears 
by  Mr.  Hooker's  letters,  that  maay  inclined  toward 
the  Baptift  way,  and  he  exprefTed  his  apprehenfions 
that  the  number  would  incrcafejj  which  it  fcems 
XTioved  him  to  "  refolve  that  he  would  have  an  ar- 
gument able  to  remove  a  mountain  before  he  would 
recede  from"  infant  baptifm.      Thisrefolution  Mr. 

Mitchel,. 

•  WintKrep'fi  Jonrnal. 

X  Magnalia,  b.  4,  p.  127,  128. 

%  MaSachufetts  Hiftory,  vol.  i,  p.  227, 


[1640.]      !M  NEW-ENGLAND;      117 

Mirchel,  thirteen  years  after,  adopted  from  him,  as 
a  Ihield  againft  Mr.  Dunftar's  arguments  §. 

The  eftate  of  Mr.  Humphry,  one  of  their  magi- 
ilrates,  being  much  impaired,  he  fold  his  plantation 
at  Lynn  to  the  lady  Moody,  and  returned  to  Eng- 
land^. She  foon  embraced  the  Baptift  principles, 
and  fuffered  therefor.  And  divers  of  thofe  at  Aquid- 
nct  turned  profefled  Anahaptijis^.  Mr.  Hubbard 
fays,  Nicholas  Eafton  ufed  to  teach  at  Newport, 
^nd  maintained,  *'  that  man  had  no  power  nor  will 
in  himfelf,  but  as  he  was  aftcd  by  God ;  jnd  feeing 
that  God  filled  all  things,  nothing  could  be  or  move 
but  by  him,  and  fo  muft  needs  be  the  author  of  fin,; 
and  that  a  Chriftian  is  united  to  the  effence  of  God. 
Being  Ihewcd  what  blafphemous  confequences  would 
follow  therefrom,  they  feemed  to  abhor  the  confe- 
quences, but  ftill  defended  the  pofition.— Mr.  Cod- 
dington,  Mr.Cogglhall,and  fome  others,  joined  with 
Nicholas  Eafton  in  thofe  dclufions ;  but  their  mini- 
iler,  Mr.  Clarke,  Mr.  Lenthal  and  Mr.  Harding, 
with  fome  others,  diffented  and  publicly  oppofed  j 
whereby  it  grew  to  fuch  a  heat  of  contention  that  it 
made  a  fchifm  amongft  them,"  Mr.  Coddington 
and  Mr.  Eafton  afterward  joined  the  Quakers,  Mr. 
Clarke  and  his  friends  formed  the  firft  Baptift  church 
on  Rhode-Ifland. 

In  June  this  year  the  General  Aflembly  of  the 
Maffachufctts  fent  to  Plymouth  to  know  why  they, 
might  not  take  Seaconk  into  their  jurifdiftion  ; 
they  tried  for  it  about  three  years,  till  the  commif- 
fioners  of  the  united  colonics  confirmed  it  to  Ply- 
foouth. 

At  a  quarter  court  at  Bofton,  Sept.  7,  Mr.  Wil- 
liam Collins,  a  man  of  learning,  who  had  married 

Mrs. 

%  Mitchel's  Life,  p.  70. 

f  MaiTachufetts  ij.iftory,  yd.  i,p.  15.    ti  Winthrcp. 


'II?      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

Mrs.  Hutchinfon's  daughter,  beings  "  found  a  fe- 
duccrj"  and  Francis  Hutchinfon,  tor  calling  the 
church  of  Bofton  "  a  whore,"  &c.  were  both  fined 
and  banifhed  upon  pain  of  death^.  About  two  years 
after  they  were  both  killed  by  the  Indians,  with 
their  mother  Hutchinfon,  towards  New- York.  It 
is  evident  that  the  planters  of  Rhode-Ifland  did  not 
at  firft  fee  into  the  true  nature  and  grounds  of  liberty 
of  confcience,  but  their  afTembly  at  Portfmouth, 
Mar.  1 6,  1641,  pafTed  an  a6t  for  that  purpofe,  which 
on  the  17th  of  Sept.  followipig  was  confirmed  as  a 
perpetual  law.  And  at  an  aflembly  in  Newport, 
Sept.  19,  1642,  they  appointed  Meflrs.  Coddington, 
Brenton,  Eafton,  Cogglhall,  Baulfton,  Porter,  Dyer, 
Clarke,  Harding  and  Jcfferies,  a  committee  to  im- 
prove the  firft  and  beft  opportunity  that  prefented 
to  fend  home  for  a  charter,  and  to  write  to  Sir 
Henry  Vane  to  folicit  his  afllftance  and  influence 
sn  thedefign.  They  accordingly  fent  over  by  Mr. 
Williams,  and  obtained  their  requeft ;  though  in  the 
mean  time  a  moil  dreadful  broil  broke  out,  and  pre- 
vailed to  a  terrible  degree  among  them,  of  whi<£h 
take  the  following  account. 

Samuel  Gorton,  a  man  of  learning  from  London, 
arrived  at  Bofton  in  1 6^6,  and  doubtlefs  had  a  eonfi- 
derable  hand  in  the  myfticaldifputes  that  then  embroil- 
ed them.  From  thence  he  went  to  Plymouth,  where 
he  treated  their  paftor  Mr.  Smith  in  fuch  a  manner, 
as  caufed  the  authority  to  take  him  in  hand,  and 
required  bonds  of  him  for  his  good  behaviour.  This 
occafioned  his  departure  to  Rhode-Ifland,  where 
fuch  a  difficulty  arofe,  that  by  Mr.  Coddington's 
order  he  was  imprifoned  and  whipt.  From  thence 
he  came  to  Providence,  where  he  was  kindly  treated 
by  Mr.  Williams  and  others ;  and  he  and  his  friends 

Ux 

*  A^a^achufetti  Records. 


ti64i.]      itf  NEW-El^GLAND.        ii^' 

fat  down  at  Pawtuxet,  now  called  Cranfton.  I  find 
by  the  records  that  Mr.  Gorton  bought  half  of 
Robert  Cole's  intercll  there  on  Jan.  lo,  1641.  And 
as  the  court  at  Newport  in  March  following  dif- 
franchifed  Richard  Carder,  Randal  Holden,  Sampr©n 
Shatton,  and  Robert  Potter,  they  and  John  Wickes, 
who  had  followed  Gorton  from  Plymouth,  came 
tnd  formed  a  confiderable  party  at  Pawtuxet.  And 
fuch  a  contention  was  raifed  between  them  and  the 
former  inhabitants,  '*  as  they  came  armed  into  the 
*'  field,  each  againft  other  •,  but  Mr.  Williams  pa- 
**  cified  them  for  the  preient.  This  caufed  the 
'*  weaker  party  to  write  a  letter  to  the  MafTachufetts 
"  rulers,  complaiaing  of  the  wrong  they  lliffered, 
*'  defiring  aid,  or  if  not,  counlel  from  us.  We  an- 
"  fwered  them,  that  we  could  not  levy  war  without 
"  a  General  Court.  For  counfel  we  told  them, 
"  that  except  they  would  fubmit  to  fomejurifdie- 
"  tion  (Plymouth,  or  &c.)  we  had  no  calling  or* 
"  warrant  to  interpofe  in  their  contentions,  but  if 
*'  they  would  fubmit  to  any,  then  they  had  a  call  to 
**  protedl  them*."  How  different  was  the  temper 
here  difcovered,  from  that  of  the  pious  Mr.  Wil- 
liams? He  was  ever  ready  wherever  he  came  to 
exert  all  his  influence  to  make  peace  fo  far  as  he 
could  with  a  good  confcience,  but  the  court  aE 
Bofton  fecmed  willing  to  play  one  party  againft 
another,  till  all  would  fubmit  to  their  power. 
Gorton  took  a  like  method  to  defend  himfeif  againft 
them  ;  the  confequence  of  which  was  terrible  in- 
.deed ;  the  true  ftate  whereof  I  Ihall  give  with  all 
the  exaclnefs  I  can. 

William  Arnold,  Robert  Cole,  William  Carpen- 
ter, and  BenedicSl  Arnold,  of  Pawtuxet,  went  to  the 
General  Aflcmbly   at  Bofton,  Sept.  J?,  1642,  and 

fubciitted 
•  Winthrop— Hubbard. 


Ilo    laiSTORY  oj  TH2  BAPTISTS 

fubmittcd  themfclvcs  and  their  lands  to  that  govern* 
tnent.  At  the  fame  time  Mr.  Leveret  and  Edward 
Hutchinfon  were  fcnt  to  Miantinomu  to  demand 
latisfa<^ion  of  him,  and  firft  to  tell  him  "  of  credi- 
ble information  received,  partly  by  relation  of  tht 
Indians  themfelves,  that  they  have  drawn  in  many 
Other  Sachems  to  join  with  the  Narraganfets,  in 
making  war  upon  the  Englilh."  Benedi<5l  Arnold 
and  Ahauton,  the  Indian,  were  to  be  their  guides 
flfid  interpreters-j*.  Then,  Odlober  28,  a  warrant 
was  fent  from  Bofton  to  cite  Gorton  and  his  friends 
to  come  to  their  court,  to  anfwer  to  the  complaints 
of  Arnold*s  company  againft  them,  figned  by  thd 
Governor  and  three  alTiftantS;  To  this  an  anfwei" 
•was  returned  on  Nov.  20,  figncd  by  Samuel  Gorton, 
Randal  Holden^  Robert  Potter,  John  Wickes,  John 
Warner^  Richard  Waterman,  "William  Woodalcj 
-John  Greene,  Francis  Wefton,  Richard  Carder, 
Nicholas  Power  and  Sampfon  Shatton.  It  contained 
a  long  myftical  paraphrale  upon  their  warrant,  and 
many  provoking  fentences  againft  thole  rulers  and 
their  minifters,  and  a  rcfufal  t©  come  to  them. 
But  in  order  to  get  out  of  their  reach  they  removed 
and  purchafed  Shawomet  for  144  fathoms  of  warn- 
j>um,  and  obtained  a  deed  of  it,  figned  by  Mian- 
tinomu, Pomham,  and  others,  on  Jan.  12,  1643. 
John  Greene  had  received  a  deed  of  an  ifland,  neck 
of  land  and  meadoWj  called  OcupaflTutuxet-covCj 
dated  Odober  i,  1642,  figned  by  Miantinorpu  and 
SocononcoJ. 

The  General  Court  at  Bofton,  May  10,  1643, 
appointed  Mr.  Athcrton  and  Tomlyns,   with  Wil- 
liam 

-f  Hubbard— Maflachnfetts  Records. 

X  Gorton's  Defence — Callender— Calony  Records.  ,  The 
.144  fathom  of  peag  it  is  faid  was  computed  at  ^ol.  165.  fterling. 
MalTachHfetts  Miftory,  vol.  i/p.  118, 


ti543J       ^N    NEW-ENGLAND,      Hf 

iiam  Arnold  to  fpeak  with  Mr.  Greene,  Warnef') 
and  their  company.  On  June  22,  through  Benedid 
Arnold's  influence  and  affidance,  Pumham,  Sachfiii 
of  Shawomet,  and  Sacanocho,  Sachem  of  Pawtuxer^' 
figned  at  Bofton  a  fubmiffion  of  their  peribns  and 
lands  to  that  government  j  and  Arnold  was  allowed 
4I.  for  his  pains  §.  Governor  Winthrop  tells  us 
-that  they  had  2  or  300  men  linder  them.  Thd 
plea  for  this  aftion  wa"?,  that  Gorton's  company  and 
Miantinomu  had  opprelTcd  thefc  Sachems, and  wrong- 
ed them  of  their  lands.  Fumham  faid  he  was  forced 
to  fign  the  deed,  but  v/ould  take  none  of  the  pay. 
The  Governor,  with  another  magiftrate,  wrote  rd 
Shawomet  people  about  it  j  and  alfo  to  Miantino- 
mu, and  he  came  down  and  met  faid  Sachems  ac 
Bofton,  where  they  were  forced  to  confefs  that  they 
had  lometimes  fent  him  prefents,  and  had  aided  him 
in  his  wars  againft  the  Pequods  ;  yet  they  and  Ar-i 
nold  would  have  it,  that  they  were  as  free  Sachems 
as  he  waSj  becaufe  their  people  paid  tribute  to  them. 
So  the  court  received  them  (as  is  before  noted) 
tinder  their  protedion;  We  are  told  that  be- 
fore this,  Gorton  and  his  company  had  fent  a  writing 
of  four  flieets,  "  full  of  reproaches  againll  thd 
"  magiftrates,  minillcrs  and  churches,  and  (luffed 
*'  likewife  with  abfurJ  familillial  ftuff,  and  wherciii 
**  they  juftified  the  purchafc  of  the  Sachems  lands, 
"  and  profefTed  to  maintain  it  to  thedeatli*." 

Miantiiiomu  Rad  already  fcen  Uncas^  a  warlike 
Sachem  to  the  weft  of  him,  putting  himfelfand  his 
people  under  the  protedlion   of  the  Englifli ;  and 

§  MafaclJufetti  Rrccrds.  The  colonies  6f  MafHichuTetts,  Ply- 
mouch,  Connefticat  and  Kew- Haven,  by  their  commifTionei-s, 
figned  articles  of  csnfcderarion  togeiher  for  mutual  aJuflance 
and  defence  on  ^iay  19,  1643,  from  whence  tliey  were  cali';4 
th^  u'.iitcd  colonics, 

**  Haisbard, 

R  H 


1122     HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

he  was  accufcd  of  hiring  a  young  Pcquod  to  murder 
tJncas,  but  he  brought  the  young  man  with  him,  who 
told  the  court  that  Uncas  cut  his  own  arm  witha 
flint,  and  then  charged  him  to  report  that  Mian- 
tinomu  had  hired  him  to  murder  him.  But  upon 
private  examination,  the  court  were  perfuaded  ihie 
young  man  was  guilty,  and  advifed  Miantinomu 
to  fend  him  to  Uncas  j  but  inftead  of  doing  it,  he 
cut  off  his  head  by  the  way,  as  he  returned  home*. 
What  followed  till  his  own  death,  we  hsLve  recorded 
by  Governor  Winthrop,  in  a  more  diftincft  and  clear 
light  than  has  ever  been  publifhed,  I  lliall  tliercforc 
give  it  to  the  reader  in  his  own  words. 

Auguft.  *'  Onkus  being  provoked  by  Sequaflion,  a 
Sachem  of  Connedllcut  (who  would  not  be  perfuad- 
ed by  the  magiftrates  there  to  a  reconciliation)  made 
war  upon  him,  and  flew  divers  of  his  men,  and  burnt 
up  his  wigwams  •,  whereupon  Msantinomu,  bein.g 
his  kinfman,  took  offence  againft  Onkus,  and  went 
with  near  one  thoufand  men,  and  let  upon  Onkus 
before  he  could  be  provided  for  defence;  for  he 
had  not  then  with  him  above  three  or  four  hundred 
men.  But  it  pleafed  God  to  give  Onkus  the  vidory, 
after  he  had  killed  about  thirty  of  the  Narragan- 
fets,  and  wounded  many  more  :  And  among  thcle, 
two  of  Canonicus's  fons  and  a  brother  of  Mian- 
tinomu, who  fied  •,  for  having  on  a  coat  of  mail ■\-^ 
he  was  eafily  overtaken,  which  two  of  his  captains 
perceiving,  they  laid  hold  of  him  and  carried  him 
to  Onkus,  hoping  thereby  to  procure  their  own  par- 
don. But  fo  foon  as  they  came  to  Onkus  he  flew 
them  prefently  ;  and  Miantinomu  (landing  mute, 
he  demanded  of  him,  v^^hy  he  would  not  fpeak  ?  If 
you  had  taken  me  (faith  he)  I  would  have  befought 

you 

•  Johnfon,  p.  182— 1S4. 

f  JohnfaB  calls  it  a  Corjlj^  and  both  he  and  Habbard  fav  he 
had  «  of  Gortoa.  - 


I 


[1645.]       IN   NEW -ENGL  AND.       125 

you  for  my  life,  &c.  The  news  of  Miantinomu'* 
captivity  coming  to,  Providence,  Gorton  and  his 
company  wrote  a  letter  to  Onkus,  willing  him  to 
ckJiver  their  friend  Miantinomu,  and  thrcatned  hini 
with  the  power- of  the  Engliih  if  he  refufed.  Upon 
this  Onkus  carries  Miantinomu  to  Hartford  to  take 
advice  of  the  magiftrates  there  -,  and,  at  Miantino- 
mu's  earned  entreaty,  he  left  him  with  them,  yet  as  a 
prifoner.  They  kept  him  under  guard,  but  uled  him 
very  courteoully.  So  he  continued  till  the  commif- 
fioners  of  the  united  colonies  met  at  Bofton  f,  who 
taking  into  ferious  confideration  what  was  fafeft  and 
hell  to  be  done,  were  all  of  opinion  that  it  would 
not  be  lafe  to  fet  him  .at  liberty  -,  neither  had  we 
fufficient  ground  for  us  to  put  him  to  death.  In 
this  difficulty  we  called  in  five  of  the  iiToft  judicious 
clders(itbeingin  the  time  of  the  general  alTembly  of 
the  elders)  and  propounding  the  cafe  to  them,  they 
all  agreed  that  he  ought  to  be  put  to  death.  Upon 
this'  concurrence  we  enjoined  fecrefy  upon  ourfelves 
and  them,  left  if  it  fhould  com.e  to  the  notice  of 
the  Narraganfets,  they  might  attempt  fomcwhac 
againft  Hartford  for  this  reafon,  or  might  fet  upon 
the  commiffioncrs,  &c.  upon  their  return,  to  take 
fome  of  them  to  redeem  him  (as  Miantinomu  him- 
felf  had  told  Mr.  Haynes  had  been  in  confutation 
amongft  them)  and  agreed  that  upon  the  return  of 
the  commifiTioners  to  Hartford,  they  Ihould  fend  for 
Onkus,  and  tell  him  our  determination,  that  Mian- 
tinomu fhould  be  delivered  to  him  again,  and  he 
fhould  put  him  to  death  to  foon  as  he  came  within 
his  own  jurifdidlion,  and  that  the  Engliili  fhould  go 
along  with  him  to  fee  the  execution.  And  if  any 
Indians  fhould  invade  him  for  it,  we  v/ould  fend  men 
to  defend  him.     If  Onkus  fhould  refufe  to  do  it, 

R  7.  then 

f  In  September. 


JU     HISTORY  01  THE  BAPTISTS 

then  Miantinomu   fliould  be  fent  in  a  pinnace  to 
Bollon,  there  to  be  kept  until  further  confidcratioti. 

*'  Th^  reafons  of  this  proceeding  with  him  were 
thefe  :  i.  It  was  now  clearly  difcovcred  to  us  that 
there  was  a  general  coiifpiracy  among  the  Indians  to 
cut  off  the  Engliili,  and  that  Miantinomu  was  the 
head  and  contriver  of  it.  z.  He  was  of  a  turbulent* 
and  proud  fpirir,  and  would  never  be  at  reft.  3.  Al- 
though he  had  promifed  i;s  in  the  open  court  to 
fend  the  Pequod  to  Onkus,  who  had  fliot  him  in 
the  arm,  with  intent  to  have  killed  him  (which  was 
by  the  procureavent  of  Miantinomu,  as  did  probably 
sppear)  y.et  in  his  way  homeward  he  killed  him. 
4.  He  beat  one  of  Pumham's  men,  and  took  away 
bi:i  wampam»  and  then^bid  him  go  and  complain 
to  the  MalTachufetts.  According  to  this  agreement 
the  ctHrnmiOTioners,  at  their  return  to  Connefticut, 
fent  for  Qr.kus,  and  acquainted  him  herewith,  who. 
readily  undertook  cKe  execution  j  and  taking  Mian- 
tin"  "mil  along  with  him,  in  the  way  between  Hart- 
ford and  Wiridfor  (where  Onkus  hath  fome  mea 
d^vcU)  Onkus's  brother  following  after  Miantinomu, 
c.Jave  hi*  head  with  an  hatehet,  fome  EngliOi  being, 
pjefent,  And  that  the  Indians  might  know  that 
th^  Englirti  did  approve  of  it,  they  fent  12  or  14. 
iiiufqueteers  home  with  Onkus  to  abide  a  time  with. 
i\imi  for  his  defence,  if  need  Ihould  be  J." 

Alas  I  when  good  men  get  into  an  evil  path, 
where  will  it;  carry  them  ?  The  next  news  we  hear. 
is  as,  f<illQv.fS,  September  12,  the  General  Court 
i'ent  a  warrant  to  require  Gorton  and  his  company 
tp  comq  to  Biollon,  to  anfwer  the  Indians  complaints 
^gainft  them.  To  which  t.hey  fent  a  verbal  anfwer, 
ijiat  they  were  out  of  that  jurifdidion,  and  would, 
^wn  fubjei^iO;;  CQ  npne  but  the  government  of  Old- 
England* 


1 


[1(543.]       IN    NEW-ENGLAND.       125 

England.  Upon  which  the  court  wrote  the  19th, 
informing  them  that  they  intended  to  fend  commif- 
fioners  tor  to  feek  to  right  thefe  things  among 
them  §.  "■  The  commifTioners  were,  Captain  George 
Cook,  Humphry  Athercon,  and  Edward  Johnfon, 
who  were  fent,  *'  with  forty  able  men  to  attend 
"  them,  which  have  authority  and  order  to  bring 
*'  Samuel  Gorton  and  his  company,  if  they  do  noc 
"  give  them  fatisfaftion."  A  Major- General  was 
appointed  in  the  colony,  and  the  country  put  into  a 
polture  of  war.  '"  They  of  Aquidneck  are  granted 
"  to  buy  a  barrel  of  powder,  provided  Lieutenant 
"  Morris  give  caution  that  it  be  employed  for  the 
"  defence  of  the  ifland,  by  the  advice  of  the  Gover- 
*'  nor  and  Deputy.  It  is  ordered  that  the  deputies 
*'  Ihould  acquaint  the  elders,  to  defire  them  in 
*'  fpecial  manner  to  commend  this  undertaking  to 
.«  God."  .    ; 

A  -large  committee  of  magiftrates  and  deputies 
were  appointed  in  the  recefs  of  the  General  Court, 
"  not  knowing  (fay  they)  what  may  fall  out,  con^ 
*'  cerning  the  expedition  now  on  foot  againft  Sa- 
"  muel  Gorton,  ancithe  reft  of  that  company. 

"  It  is  ordered  that  Pumham  and  Sochonoco 
"  fhould  have,  each  of  them,  lent  them  a  fowling- 
*'  piece,  and  Benedict  Arnold  hath  liberty  to 
"  fupply  them  with  powder  and  fbot  as  he  fees  oc- 
«'  eafionf.'* 

Hearing  of  their  coming,  Gorton's  company  fent 
a  letter  to  meet  them,  dated  September  28,  to  let 
them  know,  that  if  they  came  in  a  way  of  loving 
neighbourhood,  they  were  welcome  •,  but  if  with  a 
band  of  foldiers,  they  charged  them  not  to  fet  foot 
on  their  land  at  their  peril.     The  commilTioners 

wrote 

§  Gorton'i  Defence, 
t  Maffacljufetts  Records, 


1^6      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

wrote  a  reply,  fignifying  their  great  defire  of  hav- 
ing converlation  with  them,  with  hope  of  reclaim- 
ing them  from  their  errors  •,  but  if  that  could  noc 
be  done,  that  they  fhould  then  **  look  upon  them  as 
"  men  prepared  for  flaughter,  and  accordingly 
"  fhoiild  addrefs  themfelves  with  all  convenient 
"  fpeed  j"  which  we  may  well  fuppofe  was  very 
fbrprizing  to  their  wives  and  children,  and  it  is  faid 
i.C  fcattered  and  occafioned  fome  of  their  deaths. 
Some  of  the  people  of  Providence  went  with  thofc 
commifiioners  and  foldiers,  and  procured  a  parley 
with  Sbavvomet  men,,  who  demanded  the  reafon  of 
this  proceeding-,  to  which  the  others  anfwered,  that 
they  had  done  wrong  to  certain  of  their  fubjc(fts, 
and  alfo  held  blafphemous  errors.  Shawomet  men 
offered  to  appeal  to  England,  but  that  was  refufed  ; 
then  they  offered  to  leave  the  controverfy  to  indif- 
ferent men  in  this  country.  This  appeared  fo  rea- 
fbnable  that  a  truce  was  agreed  upon,  till  chey  could 
fend  to  Bofton  to  know  the  mind  of  the  court  upon  ir. 
AndChadBrown,Thomas01ney,  William  Field, and 
William  Wickenden,  of  Providence,  wrote  a  letter 
to  pcrfuadethe  rulersof  the  MalJachufetts  to  comply 
'  with  this  propofal.  But  an  anfwer  was  returned, 
dated,  0(5lober  3,  refCifing  any  fuch  thing*.  After 
this  thole  men  were  feized  and  forcibly  carried  to 
Bofton,  where  the  General  Court  by  adjournment 
met  Odobcr  17,  when  the  accufation  following  wasr 
exhibited,  viz. 

*'  The-  charge  of  the  prifoners,  Samuel  Gortoa 
and  his  company. 

"  Upon  much  examination  and  ferious  confidera'- 
tions  of  your  writings,  wi'th  your  anfwers  about 
them,  we  do  charge  you  to  be  a  blafphemous  enemy 
of  the   true   religion   of  our  Lord  Jefus   Chrift, 

and 

•  Gorton's  Defence. 


[1645.]        JN    NEW-ENGLAND.        117 

and  his  holy  ordinances,  and  alfo  of  all  civil  autho- 
rity among  the  people  of  God,   and  particularly  in 

'this  jurifdi(5lion. 

"  It  is  ordered  that  Samuel  Gorton  fhall  be  con- 

^ned  to  Charleftown,  there  to  be  fet  on  work,  anil 
to  wear  fuch  bolts  or  irons  as  may  hinder  his  efcapc, 
and  to  continue  during  the  pleafure  of  the  court-j 
provided  that  if  hefhall  break  his  faid  confinement, 
or  fliall  in  the  mean  time,  either  by  fpecch  or  writing, 
publilh,  declare  or  maintain  any  of  the  blafphemous 
or  abominable  herefies  wherewith  he  harh  been 
charged  by  the  General  Court,  contained  in  either' 
of  the  two  books  fent  unto  us  by  him  or  Randal 
Holden  -,  or  fhall  reproach  or  reprove  the  churches 
of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift  in  thefe  united  colonies, 
or  the  civil  government,  or  the  public  ordinances  of 
God  therein  (unlefs  it  be  by  anfwer  to  fome  queftions 
propounded  to  him,  or  conferrence  with  any  elder, 
or  any  other  licenced  to  fpeak  with  him  privately 
under  the  hand  of  one  of  the  afiiftants)  that  imme- 
diately upon  acculation  of  any  fuch  writing  or 
fpeech,  he  (hall,  by  fpch  afiidant  to  whom  fuch  accu- 
fation  fhall  be  brought,  be  committed  to  prifon  till 
the  next  court  of  affiftants,  then  and  there  to  be  tried 

•  by  a  jury,  whether  he  hath  fo  fpoken  or  written, 
and  upon  convixStion  thereof  fhall  be  condemned 
and  executed.     Dated  the  third  of  the  ninth  month, 

A  like  fentence  was  pafied,  by  which  John  Wickca 
was  confined  to  Iplwich,  Randal  Holden  to  Salem, 
Robert  Potter  to  Rowley,  Richard  Carder  to  Rox- 
bury,  Francis  V^eflon  ro  Dorchefter,  and  John  War- 
r.er  to  Boflon  vail  on  the  fame  penalty  with  Gorton. 
William  Woodale  was  confined  to  Watertown  during 
the  pleafure  of  the  court,  and  if  he  elcaped  fo  be 
punilhed  as  they  fee  meet,    -i^urther, 

"It 


123      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPtlStS 

"  It  is  ordered,  that  all  fuch  cattle  of  Samuel 
Gorton,  John  Greenef,  &c.  as  have  been  or  (hall 
be  fcized  upon,  for  fuch  fatisfaftion  of  charges  as 
the  country  hath  been  put  unto,  by  fending  and 
fetching  them  in,  and  other  charges  about  the  trial 
in  the  court,  and  expence  in  the  prifon  orotherwifc, 
jfhall  be  appraifed  and  fold  to  the  mod  advantage, 
and  difpofed  of  accordingly,  and  the  overplus  to  be 
rcferved  by  the  treafiirer  for  their  maintenance.— ^If 
any  of  them  will  not  do  fuch  work  as  they  may,  and 
as  fhall  be  appointed  them,  they  are  to  be  left  to 
ihitt  as  they  may. 

"  Richard  Waterman  is  difmifled  for  the  prcfentj 
io  that  what  is  taken  of  his,  is  to  go  toward  pav- 
ment  of  the  charge,  and  the  reft  of  his  tftace  is 
bound  in  lool.  that  he  fhall  appear  at  the  General 
Court  the  third  month,  and  not  depart  without  li- 
cence, and  to  fubmitto  the  order  of  the  court. 

"  Nicholas  Power  appearing,  and  denying  that  he 
fet  his  hand  to  the  firft  book,  was  difmifTed  with  art 
admonition. 

**  For  appraifing  the  cattle  brought  from  Provi- 
dence, the  prifoners  have  liberty  to  name  two,  Ro- 
bert Turner  and  th-e  foldiers  two,  and  the  court  one. 
The  prifoners  refufing,  the  court,  Robert  Turner, 
and  the  foldiers,  chofe  Mr.  Colbron,  John  Jephfan 
and  William  Parks  J."  The  whole  of  the  afor^- 
faid  charges  were  adjudged  to  amount  to.  an  hun- 
dred and  fixty  pounds.  They  were  detained  through 
the  winter  under  the  above  fentcnce;  but  finding 

that 

f  I  can't  fi»d  that  Grecnd  \^'as  CarriEc!  now  to  Bofton.  Hub- 
bard fays  Woodale  was  found  to  be  an  ignorant  young  man. 

X  Majlachufetts  Records.  Nicholns  Power,  and  many  of  hij 
po^flority  have  been  of  good  note  amcng;^  the  Bapciih  in  Provi- 
dence. Hubbard  fays  he  was  releafed  **  irtely,  for  that  b«  wa* 
*'  iu  hi$  nialWsiieufe-" 


[1^44]      IN  KEW-£NGLAND.       it^ 

that  they  could  not  "  keep  them  from  fcduclng 
*'  others,  nor  yet  bring  them  to  any  Tight  of  thcic 
**  folly  and  wickednefs,  the  General  Court  (March 
"  7,  1644)  fent  them  away*."  Ah,  lent  them 
away  fure  enough  1  it  was  with  the  words  following^, 
viz.    . 

"  It  is  ordered  that  Samuel  Gorton  and  the  reH: 
bf  that  company,  who  now  ftand  confined,  fhall  be 
fet  at  liberty,  provided  thit  if  they  or  any  of  them. 
iHall,  after  fourteen  days  after  fuch  enlargement,, 
come  within  any  pai-t  of  our  jurifdidion,  either  in 
the  MafTachufetts,  or  in  or  near  Providence,  or  any 
iof  the  lands  of  Pomham  and  Soconocho,  or  elfe- 
where  within  our  jurifdidion,  then  fuch  perfon  er 
pcrfons  fhall  be  apprehended,  wherefoever  they  may- 
be taken,  and  ii\d\\  fuffer  death  by  courfe.of  law  ^ 
Provided  alio,  that  during  all  thejr  continuance  ift 
bur  DoUnds  inhabiting  for  the  faid  time  of  fourteea 
days,  they  Ihall  be  ftill  bound  to  the  reft  of  the 
articles  of  their  former  confinementj  upon  the  pe- 
nalty therein  e^prefled-j-."  .       -     ' 

Such  a  way  of  treating  OUlr  fellow  fervsntsaS  this^ 
will  doubtlefs  appear  very  fur^rizing  to  the  prefenc 
generation  ;  and  many  will  be  ready  to  fay,  how. 
was  it  pofTible  for  any,  if  they  had  been  endowed 
with  the  leaft  fpark  of  Chriftianity,  or  even  huma- 
nity, to  treat  their  neighbours  as  thofe  rulers  did  i* 
Let  Captain  Johnfon,  who  was  one  of  the  three 
commifiioners  that  took  them,  anfvver  the  queftion  i 
fays  he, 

*'  That  holy  man  of  God,  Mr.  John  Cottoftj.' 
*'  among  many  others,  hath  diligently  fea/ched  fof 
*'  the  Lord's  mind  herein',  and  hath,  declared  feme 
"  fudden  blow  to  be  given  to  this  blood -rhirfty 
*Smonfter  (th«  man  of  fin)  but  the  Lordhath-Jn* 

*  H«bbaid.    f  MafTachufetts  Recordi, 


1^9     HISTORY  OF  TH£  BAPTISTS 

'*  leparably  joined  the  time,  means  and  manner  of 
*'  this  work  together ;  and  therefore  all  men  that 
^'  expe<5t  the  day  (of  his  fall)mu{t  attend  the  means." 
And  fpeaking  of  Gorton  and  his  company,  he  fays, 
"  to  be  fure  there  be  them  in  New-England  that 
*'  have  Chrlft  Jcfus  and  his  ble&d  ordinances  in 
**  fuch  cfteem,  that  the  Lord  aflifting,  they  had 
**  rather  lofe  their  lives,  than  fuffcr  them  to  be 
*'  thusblafphemed,  if  they  can  help  it-,  and  whereas 
**  fome  have  favoured  them,  and  endeavoured  to 
*'  bring  under  blame  fuch  as  have  been  zealous 
^'  againfl  their  abominable  do(5lrines,  the  good  God 
*'  be  favourable  unto  them,  and  prevent  them  from 
**  coming  under  the  like  blame  with  yUkab  •,  yet 
*•'  they  remain  in  their  old  way,  and  there  is  fome- 
**  what  to  be  cenfidered  in  it  to  be  fure,  that  in 
**  thefe  days,  when  all  look  for  the  fall  of  Anti- 
'*  chrift,  fuch  deteftable  doflrines  fhould  be  upheld, 
**  and  pcrfons  fuffcred,  that  exceed  the  beaft  him- 
*'  felf  for  blafphemy,  and  this  to  be  done  by  thofc 
**  that  would  be"  counted  reformers,  and  fuch  as 
>'  feek  the  utter  (ubverfion  of  Antichrifl*." 

This  plain  account  of  the  reafons  and  motives 
they  afled  upon,  takes  off  the  edge  in  fome  meafure 
of  Gorton's  keen  fatire  upon  them,  which  he  wrote 
from  Warwick,  Sept.  i6,  1656,  to  the  fir  ft  Quakers 
that  were  imprifoned  in  BoftoR,  faying,  "  I  marvel 
*  what  manner  of  God  your  adverfaries  truft  in,  who 
•'  is  fo  fearful  of  being  infected  with  error,  or  how 
**  they  think  they  fliall  efcape  the  voiles  and  power 
**  of  the  devil,  when  the  arm  of  flefh  fails  tliem, 
**  whereby  they  feek  to  defend  themfclves  for  the 
•*  prcfent  j  fure  they  think  their  God  will  be  grown 
**  to  more  power  and  care  over  them,  in  and  after 
"  death,  or  elfe  they  will  be  loth  to  pafs  through  it." 

Which 

*  J«iftf«a'$  Hiilory,  p.  187,  230. 


[1644]      ^^    NEW. ENGLAND.       151         ^ 

"Which  remark  is  cutting  indeed,  if  we  leave  out  any 
confideration  of  duty  in  the  cafe  •,  but  if  that  be 
brought  in,  then  it  is  prefumption,  and  not  faith,  to 
exped  protCL^ion  and  fupport  from  God  in  a  way 
of  difregard  of  the  means  of  his  appointment. 
Hence,  the  error  of  fnppofing  that  God  has  appoint- 
ed the  ufe  of  fccular  force  in  religious  affairs,  ought 
to  bear  all  the  blame  and  fcandalof  thofe  cruel  pro- 
ceedings ;  and  inftead  of  venting  our  relentment 
againfl:  our  dead  fathers,  le;  thefe  things  roufe  the 
living  to  repentance  and  reformation.  Thofe  fathers 
could  find  warrant  enough  in  the  old  teflament  for 
the  ufe  of  force  againlT:  idolaters  and  blafphcmers  -, 
but  the  ufe  of  force  to  colled  the  pricfts  fupport  was 
plainly  cenfured  in  thofe  times.  With  what  f^ce 
then  can  thofe  who  profefs  to  be  u,nder  the  law  of 
liberty^  forcibly  take  a  farthing  from  any  to  maintain 
profelTed  minifters  of  him  who  has  faid,  freely  ye 
have  received,  freely  give ',  and  who  commanded  his 
difciples  to  /hah  off,  and  therefore  not  to  carry  away, 
{o  much  as  the  duji  of  a  city  or  houfe  that  would  not 
receive  them  ! 

It  is  likely  that  the  reader  would  want  to  know 
what  Gorton's  fentiments  really  were,  which  were 
fo  ofFcnfivc.  To  this  I  anfwer,  that  he  evidently 
was  a  man  of  fmart  capacity,  and  of  confiderable 
learning,  and  when  he  pleaied  could  exprefs  his 
ideas  as  plainly  as  any  man  ;  but  he  ufed  fuch  a 
myftical  method  in  handling  the  fcriptures,  and  in 
fpeaking  about  religion,  that  people  are  not  agreed 
to  this  day  in  what  his  real  fentiments  were.  It  is 
fo  common  for  parties  to  mifreprefent  the  opinions 
of  their  opponents,  that  little  regard  is  paid  by  many 
to  what  the  MafTachufetts  have  faid  againft  him.  I 
will  therefore  give  a  tafte  of  what  he  publifhed  to 
the  world,   not  in  a  way  of  controvcrfy,   but   nx 

S  z  fricncti^^? 


^133     HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

friendly  correfpondence  with  the  aforcfaid  prifoncrs 
at  Bolton,  He  firft  wrote  a  letter  to  them  of  the 
date  1  have  given  \  to  which  they  returned  an  an-* 
fwer  i  then  he  made  a  reply,  Oftober  6,  1^56, 
v;herein  he  gives  various  remarks  upon  the  fenti- 
ITients  exprelTed  in  their  letter,  and  fays, 

"In  us  a  child  is  born,    in  us  a  fon  is  given  §, 
<*  but  the  government  is  upon  his  fhoulder,  and  he 
*'  is  called  wonderful  Counfellor,   the  mighty  God, 
**  the  everlafting  Father^  the  Prince  of  Peace :  So 
,■«  that  wherever  this  lowly  and  m.eek  Spirit  is,  there 
**  is  alfo  the  fpiric  of  the  Lion  of  the  tribe  otjudah^ 
«<  and  the  Lord  thereby  Ihall  roar  out  of  ^ion,  and 
<*  utter  his  voice  from  Jerufalem,  and  the  heaveni 
*'  and  the  earth  fnall  Ihake,'  but  the  Lord   is  the 
•*  l^pe  of  his  people,  and  the  ftrength  of  the  chil- 
**  dren  of  Ifracl.     True  lowlinefs  of  fpirit,  and  the 
«*  lofcieft  mind  that  ever  wa.s,  are  never  feparatcd ; 
**  for  thefe  twain  are  made  one  fo  as  never  to  be" 
**  feparated,   no  more  than  a  child  (in  point  of  all 
<^  human  abilities)   and  the  Ancient  of  Days  Ihall  i- 
^*  for  as  we  receive  the  kingdom  of  heaven  as  a 
**  little  child,  fo  we  are  never  otherwife  in  the  fame 
*'  refpet^t,  which  we  know,  no  wifdom    human, 
•   <"  fcrpentine,  or  upon  principles  proper  to  a  crea- 
^.*  ture,  can  ever  yield  unto,  or  find  out;  and  thcre- 
^*  fore  we  are  fools  unto  the  world,  being  bereaved 
<"^  of  all  tlieir  principles.^  in  regard   of  any  exercife 
**  of  them  according  to  their  proper  intent  in  any 
<*  of  our  defignS'-^^And  therefore  as  brute  beafts 
*''  are  unto  them,  fo  are  they  to  us  in  the  things  of 
**  CJod."     Again  he  fays,  "  we  conclude  that  the 
<*  wifdomof  God,  though  become  fooliflinefs,  unto 
5?  the  world,  yet  doth  it  contain  fufikicncy.of  powey 

§  Obferve  tlie  word  of  truth  faySj  tmt^  a/,  ba|{ikis  p«rjj|j*^ 


[1644]       IN   NEW-ENGLAND.      13^ 

*'  in-argumcnt  to  over- top  any  councils  fynod,  fy- 
"  nedrim  or  afifembly,  compofed  by  human  art  and 
"  learning. — For  as  it  is  in  that  way  of  the  devil, 
"  to  propofc  his  temptations  from  the  letter  of  the 
"  fcripturcs,  to  fubdue  Chrift  thereby ;  fo  is  there 
"  fufficiency  oi fpirit  and  wifdom,  in  the  true  inter- 
*^'  prctation  thereof,  to  confound  and  bring  them 
"  (in  the  party  propofing  them)  to  nought.  A 
"  Chriftian  is  llill  faying,  \tt  there  be  light,  and  it 
*'  is  fo ;  he  fhall  ever  divide  the  light  from  the 
"  darkncfs,  and  the  waters  that  are  above  the  firma- 
"  ment  from  the  waters  that  are  below  the  out- 
"  fpread  firmament.  In  a  word,  he  is  for  ever  to 
"  form  all  things  out  of  that  ancient  chaos  of  God 
^'  and  man  being  made  one."  Once  more  he  fays, 
^'  if  I  witnefs  to  the  Son,  word,  light,  life,  law,  or 
"  peace  of  God,  I  muft  witnefs  unto  the  being  of 
*.'  fuch  a  thing,  that  fuch  a  thing  is,  as  alfo  to  the 
"^'  manner  of  its  being,  how  it  comes  to  be  fuch  a 
"  thing,  together  with  its  neceflary  and  proper 
**  operations,  which  muft  inevitably  accompany 
**  fuch  a  manner  of  being,  with  the  comprehenfions 
*'  and  extenfions  of  fuch  operations  and  motion,  or 
*'  elfe  I  am  not  that  faithful  and  true  witnefs,  the 
*'  heginning  of  the  creation  of  God^  or  that  head  and 
*'  tfiafterpiece  of  his  workf." 

Thefe  extrads  from  his  own  writings,  may  give 
the  reader  fome  idea  of  his  way  of  handling  the 
fcripturcs.  Our  Saviour  vanquished  the  tempter 
by  appealing  to  what  was  written^  and  fhewing 
thereby  that  Satan  perverted  the  text  he  pretended 
to  quote  ;  but  the  lofty  mind  of  this  writer  foared  fo 
inuch  above  that  method,  as  to  fay  of  the  world  o{ 
mankind,  "  as  brute  beafts  are  unto  them,  fo  arc 

"  they 

t  Thefe  letters  are  aanexed  to  a  book  he  pabliflied  in  1656, 
5.272—394. 


134    HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

**  they  to  us  in  the  things  of  God."  Well  there- 
fore might  Mr.  Williams  fay,  "  I  am  no  more  of 
Mafter  Gorton's  religion  than  of  Mafter  Cotton's  ; 
and  yet  if  Mafter  Cotton  complain  of  their  obJUnacy 
jn  their  way,  I  cannot  but  impute  it  to  his  bloody  tC' 
net  and  praftice,  which  ordinarily  gives  ftrength, 
vigour,  Ipirit  and  refolution  to  the  moft  erroneous, 
when  fuch  unrighteous  and  moft  uncbrijlian  proceed- 
ings arc  exerciled  againft  them-f."  Bcfides  their  dif- 
ference about  golpel  dodrines,  they  evidently 
differed     in     the    following    points    of    practice. 

1.  Mr.  Williams  u fed  great  plainnefs  of  Jpeecb^  fo 
that  his  meaning  was  obvious  to  common  under- 
jftandings  •,  but  Mr.  Gorton's  writings    are  not  fo. 

2.  Mr.  Williams  openly  ftood  for  what  he  believed 
«o  be  the  truth,  in  the  face  of  the  greateft  danger  ; 
but  when  Mr.  Gorton  faw  himfelf  greatly  expofed 
in  Bofton,  he  explained  their  myftical  writings  in 
fuch  a  manner,  that  Governor  Winthrop  faid, 
*'  he  could  agree  with  him  in  his  anfwer,  though 
not  in  their  writings  *."  3.  Mr.  Williams  fet  a  no^ 
fole  example  of  overcoming  evil  with  good ;  but 
Mr.  Gorton  was  fadly  cnfnared  in  rendering;  evil  for 
evil,  and  railing  for  rafling.  Though  after  he  had 
been  to  England,  and  obtained  liberty  to  return  to 
and  enjoy  the  lands  they  had  purchafed,  he  and  fun- 
dry  of  his  fuffering  companions  became  very  ufcful 
members  ©f  civil  focicty.  But  as  corruption  is  ever 
the  moft  dangerous  when  covered  with  a  religious 
mafl^:,  it  is  of  great  importance  for  us  all  to  learn  to 
diftinguifli  between  that  and  true  religion.  Paul 
faid  to  the  contending  Corinthians,  are  ye  not  carnal 
and  walk  as  men  ?  The  fame  query  may  be  made 
concerning  thofe  <:ontentions  betwixt  Gorton  and 
his  opponents. 

Th« 
f  Reply  to  Cotton,  p.  123.     •  Gort«n'i  Defence, 


fi644-]        5N    NEW-ENGLAND.        1.3^ 

The  Maflachufetts  profclTed  a  high  regard  to 
their  charter,  when  they  baniflied  Mr.  Williams ; 
buc  that  gave  them  no  right  to  any  land  or  govern- 
ment, further  than  three  miles  fouth  of  their  bay, 
and  of  every  part  of  Charles  river  -,  and  that  line 
croflcs  the  great  poft  road  near  landlord  Maxcy's,  in 
Attleborough,  from  whence  to  Pawtuxet  river  is 
19  miles,  and  Shawomet  is  ftill  further  fouthvyard  •, 
yet  we  are  plainly  told  tha^t  Arnold  and  his  compa- 
ny were  received  "partly  to  draw  in  the  reft,  either 
"  under  themfelves  or  Plymouth.**  Hubbard.  And 
when  Gorton  and  his  friends  were  got  out  of  Arnold's 
reach,  two  petty  fachems  were  taken  in  to  found  a 
claim  upon,  though  it  w^s  known  that  Miantinomu 
was  fo  much  above  them,  that  he  fold  Provi- 
dence and  Pawtuxet  over  their  heads  fome  years 
before,  in  which  was  contained  the  bed  title  that 
Arnold*s  company  had  to  their  lands.  What  work 
then  did  they  make,  in  firft  enticing  fubjecls.to  re- 
volt from  their  prince,  and  then  in  killing  him  be- 
caufe  he  was  uneafy  about  it  !  Had  they  not  been 
blinded  with  fuch  a  aeal  as  thedifciples  had,  when 
they  were  for  having  fire  to  come  down  and  con- 
fume  the  Samaritans,  furely  they  wo«ld  not  have 
violated  the  rules  of  juftice  and  equity  as  they  did. 
They  tried  afterwards  to  vindicate  their  condufl  by 
the  claim  of  Plymouth  to  that  land,  and  upon  an 
aft  of  the  commidioners.of  the  united  colonies  con- 
cerning it  *.  But  Plymouth  patent  extended  na 
farther  weftward  than  Narraganfct  river,  and  the 
utmoft  limits  of  Pocanokit  or  Sawamfet,  that  is  Ofa- 
maquin  or  Mafaffoit's  territories  -f  ;  and  we  have  be- 
fore heard  how  they  fell  fhort  of  the  lands  in  que- , 
fVion^  Further  the  commifTioners  pleaded,  that 
Miantinomu  engaged  by  treaty,  not  to  begin  war 

witb 

•  MaiTachufetts  Hiftory,  vol.  i,p.  122." 
f  fiiacc's  Chronology,  p.  197. 


^ 


i^6'    HISTORY  OF  THE  BAt»f  ISTS 

with  Uncas  without  firft  appealing  to  the  Englifli, 
yet  had  broken  that  agreement  §.  But  a  very  cre- 
dible writer  of  their  own  informs  us,  that  Mianti- 
nomu  firft  fent  his  complaint  to  Hartford  againft 
Uncas  i  and  when  they  refufcd  to  nlcddlc  in  Sequaf- 
fion*s  quarrel,  he  would  know  whether  they  would 
be  offended  if  he  (hould  make  war  upon  Uncas  ? 
And  that  they  left  him  to  take  his  courfc-}-,  fo  that 
their  cafe  in  truth  was,  like  that  of  other  invaders 
of  their  neighbour's  riglits ;  they  were  in  danger 
of  being  awfully  requited,  by  a  man  fo  fenfible 
Rnd  powerful  as  Miantinomu,  if  he  was  hot  taken 
out  of  the  way.  This  evil  is  greatly  to  be  la- 
mented^  and  Ihould  ever  ftand  as  a  folemn  warn- 
ing to  us  all,  to  beware  of  taking  one  ftep  in- 
to any  courfe  of  injuftice,  deceit,  or  cruelly  j  for  it 
will  fu rely  prove  bitternefs  in  the  latter  end. 

Had  Gorton  been  duly  aware  ©f  this,  he  would 
not  have  armed  Miantinomu  againft  Uncas,  for  no 
better  reafon,  that  wc  know  of,  than  becaufe  he- 
being  a  warlike  prince,  ftood  in  the  way  of  his  forra- 
ing  an  Indian  party  fufBcicnt  to  withftand  or  over- 
come the  Mafiachufetts  ;  which  proceeding,  toge- 
ther with  his  irritating  writings  againft  their  rulers 
6nd  minifters,  were  the  evident  cauie  of  things  be- 
ing carried  to  the  dreadful  extremity  they  were. 
Mr.  Williams  ever  bore  as  plain  and  full  teftimon)- 
againft  their  perfcciuing  any  man  for  matter^  of 
confcience,  as  Gorton  could  ;  and  had  a  much 
greater  inftuence  over  the  Indians  than  he  ever  had  j 
yet  he  was  fo  far  from  trying  to  raife  a  heathen  par-^ 
ty  againft  Ghriftians,  to  correft  them  for  injuries 
done  to  hin'ifelf,  that  he  exerted  himfelf  with  great 
affiduity  to  prevent  any  thing  of  that  nature;  by 

which 

§  Maaachufdtts  Hiftory,  ?©1,  3,  p.  I4«. 


[t6440        IN    NEW-ENGLAND.      1^7 

Which  he  undoubtedl/  was  the  greatefl:  inftrumenc 
of  f«ving  New-England  of  any  one  man  that  lived 
in  th^t  day,  and  for  which  his  msmery  is  and  will 
ht-blejfed. 

Among  the  reafoners  of  our  world,  fome  will 
not  allow,  that  men  are  influenced  in  all  their  volun- 
tary adlions  by  previous  caufes  and  motives,  while 
others  incline  fo  much  to  infidel'ty  as  to  reprefenr, 
that  the  very  notion  of  religion,  or  of  perfons  think- 
ing that  the  Deity  loves  them  better  than  others, 
tends  to  make  them  hate  and  treat  thofe  ill  who,  as 
they  fuppofe,  are  not  thus  beloved.  But  as  n-o- 
thing  teaches  like  experience,  let  the  experience  .of 
thofe  favhers  be  confidered,  and  the  light  which 
fafls  give  in  the  cafe  be  regarded,  beyond  all  the 
fuppofitions  or  wrangles  of  difputants.  Is  it  not 
evident,  that  thofe  feveral  contending  parties  were 
influenced  in  all  their  bad  adions  by  the  fame  prin- 
ciples of  ambition,  avarice,  deceit,  and  refentment, 
that  other  men  are  ?.  And  is  it  not  as>vident,  that 
thofe  actions  which  were  good  and  praife-wor- 
thy,  flowed  from  a  hearty  belief  of  revealed 'religion, 
efpecially  of  free  falvation  by  Chriil  Jefus  ?  At  pre- 
•fent  we  will  take  a  view  of  the  head  men  of  the  three 
parties  of  Bofton,  Warwick  and  Providence. 

Governor  Winthrop  was  in  fuch  efteem  in  his  na- 
tive country,  as  to  be  made  ajuftice  of  peace  at  the 
age  of  eighteen,  had  an  eflate  of  i^x  or  ftvGn  hun- 
dred pounds  fl;erling  per  annum  5  yet  fold  it,  and 
fpent  the  main  of  it  in  promoting  a  religious  fettie- 
ment  in  this  wildernefs  •,  where  for  all  his  vaH:  la- 
bour and  pains,  ifj  fettling  and  managing  the  go-" 
vernment,  he  for  fome  years  had  no  ftated  falary, 
and  never  had  more  than  one  hundred  pounds  a 
year  •,  was  feveral  times  very  ungratefully  treated 
by  his   own   people  j  and  what  could  carry  him 

T  through 


1^8      HISTORY  OF  TKE  BAPTISTS 

through  all  this,  with  chearfulncfs  to  the  end,  but 
ihe  pt)wer  of  religion  *  ? 

Gorton, 

*  What  hi»  religious  feivtiments,  were,  tlie  reader  may  form 
fome  juJgmanfe  by  the  following  extrat^s.  In  ihe  lirll  part  of 
his  adminiitrations  as  Governor,  he  faid,  "  in  the  infancy  of 
plantations,  juilice  fbould  be  adminiftred  with  more  lenity  than 
in  a  (e:cled  llate  ;  becaafe  people  are  more  apt  then  to  tranfgrefs  j 
partly  out  of  ignorance  of  new  laws  and  orders,  partly  out  of 
©ppreilion  of  bufinefs  and  other  Ibaits.  But  when  fonie  leading 
and  learned  men  took  offence  at  his  condudl  in  this  matter,  ancf 
upon  a  conference,  gave  it  as  their  opinion,  that  a  ftrifter  dif- 
cipline  was  to  be  ufed  in  the  beginning  of  a  plantation  thaa 
after  its  being  with  more  age  eflablillicd  and  confirmed,  the 
Governor  being  readier  to  fee  his  own  errors  than  other  n'len's, 
profefTed,  his  purpofe  to  endeavour  their  fatisfaftion  with  lefs 
ieuity  in  his  adminiihartions."  From  whence  we  may  guefa 
at  the  caufe  of  the  feverities  we  have  been  treating  of. 

His  expences  were  great,  and  for  two  years  he  had  no  fettled 
fcilary,  yet  the  divine  precept  againft  taking  bribes,  had  fuch 
influence  upon  his  mind,  that  whert  he  was  the  third  time  chofcir 
G^.)vernor,  May  8,  1632,  he  told  the  people  publicly,  "  that 
he  had  received  gratuities  from  divers  towns,  vv'hich  he  received 
with  mucl<  comfort  and  content  ;  he  had  alfo  received  many 
kindneiles  from  particular  peribns,  which  he  could  not  refufe, 
lellhe  ihould  be  accounted  uucourteouj,  &c.  but-  he  profefTed  he 
received  chern  with  a  trembling  heart,  in  regard  to  God's  rule, 
and  the  conlcioufnefs  of  his  own  infirmiry,,  and  therefore  dcfired 
that  hereafter  they  would  not  take  it  ill  if  he  fliould  refuie  pre- 
fents  from  particular  perfons,  except  the  afliltance  of  forae 
fpecial  friends.  To  which  no  anfwer  was  made  j  but  he  is 
told  after,  that  many  good  people  were  much  grieved  at  it,  for 
that  b:  never  had  any  aUovjance  toivani  the  charge  cf  his  place.'* 

Aher  he  had  aflied  in  banifhing  Mr.  Wheelwright  and  others, 
many  of  their  friends  in  Bofton  church,  whereof  fiC  was  a  member, 
were  earne.l  with  the  elders  to  have  the  church  call  him  forth, 
as  an  olFender,  for  palling  thatfentence  ;  which  he  underttanding» 
took  occaiiOfi  CO  make  a  public  fpeech  to  them  upon  it,  in  whicri 
ht  faid, 

'*•  As  for  nayfelf,  I  did  nothing  in  the  caufes  of  any  of  tfte 
hnthren,  but  by  advice  of  the  tlders  of  the  church.  Moreover, 
in  the  oath  which  I  have  taken  thera  is  this  claule,  in  all  caufes 
•vthereiH  you  are  to  give  your  'vote,  you  Jhuii  do  as  in  your  judgment, 
mnd  ionfcienct  J9U  Jhall  fti  to  bejujl^  and  fr  tkt  public  ^oud.  .  And 

i  ?4n 


[1644]      IN    NEW-ENGLAND.       139 

Gorton,  as  we  have  feen,  had  a  notion  that  the 
child  was  born  in  him  and  his  followers,  who  had 
tht  government  upon  his  Jfjoulders^  and  he  concurred 

T  2  witk 

7  ant  fatjaficd  it  5*  moft  fjr  the  glory  of  God,  and  the  pobHc 
gocf',  that  there  be  fuch  a  Atnience  paHed  ;  yea,  thofe  brsihrea 
srs  fo  divided  fro«i  the  reft  of  ;he  country  in  their  opinion* 
aed  praflices,  that  it  cannot  ftand  with  \.\\e  public  peace  f®"-  them 
lo  contir,oe  '<v\\\\  of,  Abraham  faw  that  Hagar  a«id  Ifhmaeil 
muft  be  feni  away." 

S  vei  yeft'»  af'.er,  v^n  a  ho»  debate  between  the  magiftrates 
and  deputies  about  who  lliriuld  have  the  regative  vote,  Gaver- 
nor  Winthrop  wrote  his  mlnA  upon  it,  fotnc  pr.fTfges  whereof 
gave  ofFv-r.ce  to  rr^me  notid  mer,  which  he  grderftat  ding,  made 
the  fjllowirg  fpeech  at  the  next  General  Court,  viz.  "  As  for 
the  matttr  of  mv  writing,  1  had  ihe  concurrence cf  my  brethren; 
it  ii  a  point  oijuJgmtnt  which  ii  rot  at  my  own  difpofing.  J 
have  examined  it  over  and  over  again,  by  foch  light  as  God  has 
given  me,  from  the  rules  of  religion,  reafon  and  cuilom  ;  and 
I  fee  no  caufe  to  retraft  ary  thing  of  it :  Wherefore  I  mutt  enjoy 
ipy /r^«r/jr  in  that,  as  you  do  yoarfeive*.  ^\iX  iot  itte  manner , 
this  and  all  that  was  bla<Tir-»orthy  in  it,  tvas  wholly  my  bivk  ; 
Slid  whatfocver  I  might  alledge  for  my  own  juflification  before 
wtK,  I  wave  it,  as  now  fetting  myfelf  before  aTtetbirJudgmettt' 
Jiai.  However,  what  I  wrote  was  upon  ^reat  provocaiioo,  and 
Co  vindicate  myfe'.faod  other*  from  great  afpertlon  ;  yet  that 
was  no  fufRcien!  warrant  for  me  to  allow  any  iijitmptr  ef  /pirit 
in  myfelf;  and  I  doubt  I  have  ,been  too  prodigal  of  my  bre- 
ihren'a  reput^iion.  I  might  have  maintained  myca'jfe  without 
calling  any  blcmifh  upon  others.  When  I  made  that  my  con^ 
cJafion,  and  noiv  let  religion  and  found  reafon  give  judgmtni  in  the 
tAft,  it  looked  ai  if  I  arrogiiited  too  much  nnjo  myfelf,  and  too 
fittle  to  ct^iers :  And  'vhen  I  made  that  profcflion,  that  I  nvould 
htaintain  lubat  I  nvrete  before  oil  the  ivcrld,  though  fuch  words 
might  modcttly  be  fpoLrn,  ye:  I  perceive  an  unbeieerairg  pride 
of  ray  own  heart  breathing  in  them.  For  thefe  failings  I  «& 
p^rdor.  bcth  of  God  and  man." 

Once  mrre ;  *hen  a  g'ca'  difturb«rce  had  beeo  i«ad«  in  the 
colony  by  Dr.  Child  and  others,  in  164.6,  Governor  Winthrop 
w^s  called  to  a'a  account  for  his  actings  agsicH  .hem,  before  a 
great  aflemblr*  but  he  wai  openly  acquitted ;  upon  whir  h  he 
fa"d,  "  though  I  am  jjftified  before  mo,  yet  it  may  be  the 
fyord  hash  feen  (0  oiuch  amifs  in  my  adminiilranufii,  an  calls  ma 

ta 


140    HISTORY  or  THE  BAPTISTS 

with  Wheelwright  in  treating  thofe  who   oppofed 
^heir  religious  fentiments  as  enemies  to  the  Jicite ; 
which   principle  evidently  moved  him  to  endea- 
vour 

to  be  htimbied  ;  ard  isdeed  for  me  (o  htve  been  thus  chirged 
bv  iren,  is  iefeif  a  matter  of  humiliation,  whereof  I  dedre  to 
inake  a  ri^iht  ufe  beTore  the  Lcrd.  If  Mitiam'i  father  fpit  Ia 
^er  face,  Ihe  is  to  be  afhamed.  But  give  me  leave  before  you 
go  to  fay  fomething  that  may  redi.'y  the  opinioni  of  manjp 
l>eop]r,  frcm  whence  the  diAempert  have  rifen  that  have  laidf 
prevailed  upon  the  body  of  this  people.  The  queftions  that 
ibave  troubled  the  country  have  been  about  the  autbtrity  of  the 
inagiilracy,  and  the  Itbtrty  of  the  people,  Jt  ia  ;oh  who  have 
(alied  m  unto  thi}  oj^ije  ;  but  being  thus  caited,  we  have  oar 
authority  from  God  ;  it  is  the  ordinance  of  God,  and  it  hath' 
the  image  of  God  (lamped  opon  it ;  aod  the  contempt  of  it 
^as  been  viedicated  by  God  by  terribk  examples  of  his  vea- 
gegace.  I  iB:reai  you  to  confider,  that  when  you  choofe  m»gi« 
ilratcf,  you  take  from  amorg  yourfelvei  mi»  /uhjia  lo  like  p<'Jft9n» 
viith  j9urf$l'vii.  If  you  fi'e  our  ir.6rmiiiess  refiedl  on  yotr  own, 
snd  yoo  !«iH  not  be  fo  f^vere  cenfureri  of  curs.  Wc  count  him 
s  good  fervaitt  who  break}  not  his  cvverant.  The  covenant 
^eiween  w;  and  you  is  :he  naih  yru  h4ve  tak'n  of  us,  which  it 
'■o  «Ki»  j.ui,r<re,  thi^  <wi  ^all  govern  yeut  a»^  juJgt  jtur  cau/t$» 
incctTti'iBf  to  Cicd*s  latvtt  and  tur  •icw,  according  tt  tur  biji  Jkil}%, 
A:  iot  Our  ik>li,  you  muO  run  the  ha7ard  of  that ;  and  if  ther* 
^e  f,y  er.er,  rot  in  the  iv/V/,  but  in  \ht  Jktil,  it  beccmea  you  to 
bear  it.  Nor  would  I  have  yru  to  miltake  in  the  point  cf  your 
v*^»  lihr/y.  There  it  a  liberty  of  corrupt  nature,  which  ia 
^Se^ed  bu  h  by  men  ar-d  beads,  to  do  what  ihey  lift;  and  tbia 
](t>c7ty  is  inconOdeot  with  a-thorit^,  impatient  of  a!l  reftraiotS. 
by  this  \ibi I ty /umsts  tmrtts  dftirierti  :■  It  is  the  g  a-id  enemy  of 
truth  v»d  peace,  and  a.}  the  ordinances  of  God  are  bent  againft 
it.  Bu:  there  is  a  civil,  a  moral,  a  foeieral  libeFts  which  is  thq[ 
l^oper  end  snd  objfft  of  authari^y  ;  it  is  a  liberty  for  that  onljf 
vybich  is  juO  3«d  gocd  ;  for  this  liberty  you  are  to  ftand  with 
ihc  hazard  of  your  very  live;  ;  and  whatf^ever  c/oiTes  ir,  is  nolt 
authority^  but  a  didemper  thereof.  This  liberty  ti  maiotained 
in  a  wav  cf  fubieftion  to  authority  ;  ard  ibe  auihortiy  fet  over 
y09,  will  in  all  adminiRrations  for  your  good  be  qJetlv  fub« 
fitted  unto,  hy  all  but  fuch  as  have  a  difpofiHoR  to  Jiait  »jj[tht^ 
^}t\  And  lofe  ihsii   true  libci^»  bjr  tUir  sn>.sraiuting  at  the. 

■        '  '  hOftOSr 


[1644.]      IN  NEW-ENGLAND;        141 

vour  to  raife  what   force   he   could   againft  them, 
even  from  among  the  barbarians ;  and  alfo  to  treac 
them  with  fuch  a  temper  as  he  did   from   time   to 
time.     Even  (o  late  as  the  year  1676,  the  very  lit- 
tle of  the  book  he  then  publifhed  fhews   the  fpirit 
of  it,  which  is  exadly  in    thefe  words,  viz.     *'  A 
"  glafs  for  New-England,  in   whic-h  they  may  fee 
"  themfelves  and  fpirits,  and  if  not  too  late,  re- 
"  pent  and  turn  from  cheir  abominable  ways  and 
"  curfed  «ontrivances.     By   S.  G."     And   as   the 
Quakers  were  about  that  time  accufcd  by  authority 
ot  fetting  up  their  pofl:   by   God*s  pofts,  he   fays, 
"  I  hope  none  will  be  fo  blind  and  ignorant  as   to 
**  fee  their  polls  or  threfliolds  to  the  devil's    poll, 
**  and  the  profeflbrs  of  New-England's  pofts,  viz, 
*'  their  whipping-poft  or  gallows-pofts  ;    no   nor 
**  yet  join  their  thrtlhold  to  their   gaol-threfholds, 
"  nor  their  bridewcll-threfhold,  over  which  and  in 
"  which  profeflbrs  and  talkers  •f  God  and   Chrift 
"  do  and  have  haaled  over  lambs  and  followers  of 
"  Chrift,  and'^n  which  they   crop  their   ears,  and 
*'  out  of  which  they  bring  them  in  their  wills  and 
"  madnefsy  and  banilh,  whip  and  hang  them  in  their 
"  blind  zeal."     p.   17,    18.     And  he   annexes   to 
faid    book   a   letter  to  Governor  Bellingham,  dat- 
ed from  Bofton  prifon  June  15,    1667,  wrote  by 
John  Tyfo,  a  Quaker,  who  fpeaks  of  it  as  a  great 
error  in  Dr.  Increafe  Mather  to  fay,    *'  there  was 
*'  nothing  IN  him  that  he  hoped  to  be  faved  by, 
^-  and  that  there  was  none  cleanfed  from  all  _^n  on 

«  this 

honor  and  power  of  authority."    Magnolia,  hi  2,  p.  9— iji 
.   Frintt*J  Annah,  p.  60. 

O !  had  it  Bot  beeo  for  the  miftaken  notion  of  uiieg  fccula* 
force  ID  religious  affaire,  how  glorioofl/  would  this  and  olher 
I^ew>£{:glan4  faih^ri  have  Ihiaed  ! 


/ 
142     HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

'"*  this  fide  the  grave."  p.  25-  Gorton  likewife, 
fpeaking  of  Wheelwright's  being  firlt  called  before 
t-he  General  Court  for  his  fermon,  at  their  fcfllon  in 
March,  1637,  tells  us  that  Mr.  Cotton  then  faid, 
*'  broiher  Wheelwright's  do6brine  was  according  to 
**  God,  m  the  point  controverted,  and  wholly  and  al- 
*'  togethrr  j  and  nothing  did  I  hear  alledged  againfc 
"  the  doctrine  proved  by  the  word  of  God. — Bur, 
*'  (fays  G.)  that  which  is  moft  to  be  lamented,  is 
**  that  thofe  which  once  had  a  gocd  tejlimcny  in  their 
*'  hearts  and  mouths  for  God,  and  his  light  and  Jpi- 
*'  ritual  appearance ;  and  they  not  being  faithful 
**  arrd  conltant  to  that  vv'hich  is  made  manifeft  and 
"  commitNd  to  them,  it  lias  even  happened  to  tliem 
*'  according  to  the  faying  of  the  Lord  God,  by  the 
**  mouth  ot  his  prophet,  that  in  the  day  in  which  a 
**  righteous  man  turns f rem  his  righte'ufnefs,  and  doth 
*'  wickedly,  'all  the  right eoiifnefs  that  he  hath  done 
*^*  fjall  be  forgotten^  and  in  the  Jin  which  he  hath  Jin- 
'*  tied  he  JJmU  furely  die  the  death."     p.  6,  7. 

Now  is  it  not  evident,  that  the  MafTachufetts  were 
moved  by  the  fame  unreafonable  principle  of  grafp- 
ing  at  pow^r  and  gain,  that  belonged  not  to  them, 
in  their  dealings  with  Gorton^  as  operates  in  other 
men,  thou*^h  it  went  under  a  cloak  of  religion  ? 
And  is  it  not  as  evident  that  he  was  moved  with 
felf-conceit,  and  carnal  wit  and  refentment,  in  his 
•carriage  towards  them,  notwithftanding  all  his  talk 
of  the  child's  being  born  in  him,  and  of  a  creating 
power  "  for  ever  to  form  ail  things  out  of  that  an- 
**  cient  chans  of  God  and  man  being  made  one  !'* 
And  neither  of  thefc  things  can  hurt  the  truth  and 
excellency  of  the  Christian  RELTCI0^7,  anymore 
than  the  ielf  confidence,  rafhnefs  and  difilmulation 
of  Peter  did  on  the  one  hand,  or  the  blafphemy  of 
J^y menus  and  Alexander  on  the  other.  And  though 

fome 


[i644-]       IN   NEW-ENGLAND.        143 

fome  would  have  it,  that  Mr.  Williams,  after  his 
banilhmcnt,  left  revealed  religion,  and  took  to  th« 
exercilc  of  reafon  and  humanity,  in  diftinclion  from 
in,  yet  his  own  tcdiniiony  is  exceeding  clear  to  the 
contriiry.  In  his  addreis  to  the  Quakers  27  years 
after  his  banifkment  he  fays, 

"  The  truth  is,  from  my  childhood,  now  above 
"  threefcore  years,  the  Father  of  lights  and  mercies 
•'  touched  my  foul  with  a  love  to  himfeif,  to  his 
*'  ofi'y  begotten^  the  true  Lord  Jesus,  to  his  hcly 
"  SCRIPTURES,  &c.  his  infinite  wjidom  hath  given 
"  me  to  fee  the  city,  court  and  country,  the  fchooh 
"  and  univerfities  of  my  native  country,  to  converfe 
*'  with  fome  Turks,  Jews,  Papifts,  and  all  forL*^  of 
"  Protcftants,  and  by  books  to  know  the  affairs 
*'  and  religions  of  all  countries.  My  conclufion  is, 
'*  that,  he  of  good  chesr^  thy  Jin s  are  forgiven  ihcc^ 
"  Matt.  ix.  is  one  of  the  joyfuleft  founds  tha: 
"  ever  came  to  poor  fmful  ears.  Plow  to  ob- 
"  tain  this  found  from  the  mouth  of  the  me- 
•'  diator  that  fpoke  it,  is  the  greateft  difpute  bs-. 
"  tween  the  Proteflanrs  and  the  bloody  whore  of 
*'  Rome :  This  is  alio  the  great  point  between  the 
*'  true  Proteftants  and  yourfelves  •,  asalfo,  in  orde? 
*'  to  thi'^,  about  what  man  is  now  by  nature,  and 
*'  what  the  true  Lord  Jefos  is'*.'* 

And  upon  their  ufe  of  thofe  words  fpoken  to  the 
faints,  the  manifellation  of  the  fpirit  is  given  to 
every  man  to  profit  <  iihai,  and  other  like  exprelTions, 
which  rhey  would  apply  to  mankind  in  general,  he 
fays,  "  fhe  Papifts  catch  hold  upon  a  letter  ;  this  is 
*'  my  body  '^  yau  asfimply  as  do  the  Generaiifls 
"  catch  hold  upon  the  letter,  «//,  every  man^  &c. 
'*  whereas  the  fc ope  and  connexion  in  all  writings, 
*'  and  in  all  matters  in  the  world,  is  rationally  to  be 

"  minded 

•  Dedicaiaonofh.is  book  againft  the  Quakers,  1673. 


144     HISTORY  of  the  BAPTliSTS 

"  minded.  The  fenfe  and  meaning  is,  in  all  fpeecJi 
"  and  writing,  the  very  fpeech  and  writing  iifelf. 
*'  The  words  all  and  every  one^  in  cur  owri  and 
•'  other  tongues,  are  often  ufed  figuratively.  It  is 
'*  fo  all  the  fcripture  over,  and  thrice  in  one  verfe, 
•*  Col.  i.  28,  where  rcafon  cannot  imagine  that 
**  Paul  did  literally  and  individually  adrnonifh- 
«<  every  man,  teach  every  man,  and  prefent  every 
•'  man  that  comes  into  the  world  perfe^  in  Chriji 
•*  Jefus.,  which  could  not,  cannot  polTibly  be  true, 
"  without  another  {ttn^c  and  expofition  than  the 
**  words ///^T^/Zy  holdout*.'* 

And  when  they  demanded  the  reafon  why  he 
condemned  them  for  not  holding  to  the  external  uic 
of  baptifm  and  the  fupper,  while  he  did  not  live  in 
the  pradlicc  thereof  hi  mfelf.?  He  anfwered,  "that 
"  it  was  one  thing  to  be  in  arms  againft  the  King 
*'  of  kingSj  and  the  vifible*  adminiftration  of  his 
'*  kingdom,  and  to  turn  off  all  to  notions  of  an 
JI^Hpiavifiblc  kingdom,  officers  and  worfliip,  as  the 
•*  Quaker^  did  j  and  another  thing,  among  fo  many 
"  pretenders  to  be  the  true  church,  to  be  in  doubt' 
**  unto  which  to  affociate  himfelf.  After  all  my 
*'  fearch  and  examinations,  I  faid,  I  do  profefs  to 
«*  believe,  that  fome  come  nearer  to  the  firft  churches 
*'  and  injlitutions  of  Chrift  than  others  ;  as  in  many 
•*  refpefts,  fo  in  that  gallant,  heavenly  and  funda- 
•'  mental  principle,  of  .the  true  matter  of  aChiiftian 
"  fociety,  viz.  aElual  believers,  tfiie  difcipks  and  con- 
*'  verts,  and  living  Jl ones,  fuch  as  can  give  fome  ac- 
*'  count  how  the  grace  of  God  hath  appeared  to 
*'  them,  and  wrought  that  heavenly  change  in  them, 
**  I  profefled  that  if  my  foul  could  find  reft  in  join- 
"  ing  unto  any  of  the  churches  profefling  Chrift  now 
**  extant,  I  would  readily  and  gladly  do  it,  yea, 

.*'  unto 
•  Ibid.  p.  8,9. 


[1644]       IN   NEW-ENGLAND.       145 

"  unto  themfelves  whom  I  now  oppofed.  But  not 
**  finding  reft,  they  knew  there  is  a  time  of  purity 
"  and  primitive  fincerity  ;  there  is  a  time  of  trani- 
**  grefljon  and  apoftacy^  and  there  is  a  time  of  the 
"  coming  out  of  the  Babylonian  and  iJi^ildernefs  apo- 
'-^  Jiacy*r 

Thefe  extrafts  may  afiifl:  the  reader  in  forming  a 
true  judgment  of  the  motives  upon  which  thofe 
feveral  noted  men  afted  in  thole  difficult  times, 
which  alfo  may  be  ufeful  now  to  teach  us  all,  v/hiC 
to  avoid  and  what  to  purfuc  •■,  the  importance  of 
which  I  hope  will  fufficiently  apologize  for  the 
length  of  this  account,  and  alfo  jnake  the  reader 
willing  to  take  an  article  or  two  more  before  we 
conclude  this  chapter. 

The  church  at  Plymouth  was  fo  unwilling  to  part 
with  '•  a  man  of  fueh  eminence"  as  Mr.  Chauncy, 
that  they  conceded,  in  cafe  he  would  fettle  witli 
them,  that  he  (hould  ad  according  to  his  perfuafion, 
which  was  that  *'  baptifm  ought  cw/y  to  be  by  dip- 
*'  P^'^Z  0^ p^'^^S^^i  t^^  whole  body  under  water*'  with, 
fuch  as  dcfired  ir,  either  for  themfelves  oi5'  infants, 
provided  he  ceuld  without  offence  fuffer  their  other 
minifter,  Mr.  Regncr,  to  pradife  in  the  other  way, 
with  thofe  who  dcfired  it;  "  but  he  did  not  lee 
*'  light  to  comply -f-."  From  thence  he  was  called 
to  office  in  the  church  at  Scituate,  where  we  arc 
told  that  he  "  perfevered  in  his  opinion  of  dipping 
"  in  baptifntj  and  pradifcd  accordingly,  firft  upon 
"  two  of  his  own  children,  which  being  in  very 
*'  cold  weather,  one  of  them  fwooned  away  -, — ano- 
**  thcr,  having  a  child  about  three  years  old,  fear- 
**  cd  it  would  be  frighted  (as  others  had  been,  and 
**  one  caught  hold  of  Mr.  Chauncy,  and  had  near 

U  "  pulled 

♦  Ibid   p.  6^,  66. 

t  Plymouili  Regiflcr,  p.  5,  6. 


X4^    HISTORY  OF  THi  BAPTISTS 

"  pulled  him  into  the  water)  fhe  brought  her  child 
*'  to  Bofton  (with  letters  teftimonial  from  Mr. 
'*  Chauncy)  and  had  it  baptized  here.'*  This  laft 
aftion  was  in  July,  164-2  ;  and  not  long  after, 
"  the  jady  Moody,  a  wife  and  amiable  religious 
"  woman,  being  taken  with  the  error  of  denying 
**  baptifm  to  infants,  was  dealt  withal  by  many  of 
**  the  elders  and  others,  and  admonilhed  by  the 
•*  church  of  Salem  (whereof  fhe  was)  perfilling 
*'  ftill,  and  to  avoid  further  trouble,  Ihe  removed 
•*  to  th6  Dutch,  againft  the  advice  of  her  friends. 
*'  Many  others  infefted  with  Anabaptilm,  &c.  re- 
**  moved  thither  alfo.  She  was  after  excommuni- 
"  cated*."        ^ 

Here  as  well  as  elfcwhcre  appears  the  honefly  and 
ingenuity  of  this  greac  man,  in  Hating  fads  plainly, 
when  they  make  dirtdlly  againft  his  own  perfuafion. 
Thofe' who  deny  infant  baptifm  have  been  reproach- 
ed from  age  to  age  with  the  name  of  Anabaptifts, 
under  which  have  been  couched  fuch  dreadful  ideas, 
that  even  to  this  day  we  fee  the  very  name  ufed  as 
an  arg  #nent  in  various  controverfies ;  fo  that  if  a 
difputant  can  tell  his  opponent,  he  in  that  point 
agrees  with  the  Anabaptilts,  it  is  thought  that  there- 
in he  muft  be  in  an  error;  but  our  honorable  author 
gives,  without  a  covering,  the  good  charafters  and 
virtues  of  that  father  and  that  mother  in  our  Ifrael, 
at  the  fame  time  that  he  defcribes  plainly  what  he 
difliked  in  them  ;  leaving  fair  grounds  for  others  to 
judge  upon,  without  being  biafled  with  any  old  flo- 
ries'of  German  madneft.  By  this  it  appears  that 
the  grand  difficulty  in  the  way^of  burying  in  btnptifm^ 
is  their  admitting  of  fubjeds  to  it  who  have  not  the 
faith  or  difcrecion«v/hich  is  ncceEary  for  fueh  an  ac- 
.  (ion. 

Thoagh 


[1644O      iw    NEW-ENGLAND.       147 

Though  Mr.  Williams  had  done  fuch  great  fcr- 
viccs  tor  his  Englilh  neighbours  in  the  late  wars, 
^yet  he  was  not  permitted  to  pafs  through  their 
coafts,  but  was  forced  to  repair  to  the  Dutch  to  gee 
a  palTagc  to  his  native  country  j  yea,  it  mull  r-jceds 
be  fo,  becaufe  the  blellings  of  a  peace-maker  were 
to  cp'me  upon  him,  among  the  Dutch  as  well  as 
Englifhf. 

When  Mt.  Williams  arrived  in  England,  he  found 
the  country  involved  in  the  dreadful  calamities  and 
horrors  of  a  war  between  the  King  and  Parliament  j 
but  the  Parliament  having  the  command  oF  the  fleet, 
did  by    an   ordinance  of  November  2,    1643,  ap- 

U  2  \^       ^  poinc 

f  As  a  d?fiir£l  tfcoonl  ef  this  sfFoir  has  n«t  been  puhliihed 
Smong  u»,  I  ihall  give  it  a  place  here.  When  the  cotnini^ioners 
of  ihe  urjtcd  cc'oiiies  mei  in  Septf^mber,  16^.3,  ther  were  is- 
formed  of  a  Dutch  ihi^  that  had  arrived  in  HudJon'i  tiver,  which 
broug'ii  4000  poards  of  pcwc'er,  arid  700  piece},  (o  trtde  with 
the  r.aive:;  bu;  the  Dutch  Governor,  having  notice  thereof, 
pruden'l>  corfifcaied  them  to  the  ufe  of  the  company  ;  thereby 
depriving  their  enemies  of  arm^,  whereby  they  might  ihem/tlves 
have  b>;eii  deftroyed.  and  f  irnifhing  ihemfelvcs  ar.d  friendi  with 
weapons  for  t'^eir  fdfety  ;  for  at  this  time  the  lodiao*  had  Aercd 
Vfar  viiih  the  D«(cb,  and  i(  it  had  n*)!  been  for  the  alTiltAoce  of 
the  Engiifh,  they  might  have  been  all  cut  ofF.  The  occafiota  of 
the  war  was  this  :  Ad  Tdian  beirg  drui  k,  had  flain  an  old. 
Dutchman  ;  the  Dutch  required  the  murderer,  but  he  could  not 
be  hid.  The  people  called  off^n  upon  the  Governor  10  iak» 
revenge,  but  he  dill  put  it  off,  becaufe  he  though;  it  r.otjuA,  or 
notfafe.  It  fell  out  in  that  time,  that  theMaquafnr  Mohawks, 
either  upon  their  ovvn  quarrel  or  (as  the  report  *ai)  being  fet  on 
by  the  Dutch,  came  fudden'jr  upon  the  Indians  near  the  D  ;tch, 
and  killed  about  30  of  them ;  the  reft  fled  for  fheher  to  ih^ 
Dutch.  Oae  Marine,  a  Dutch  captair,  hearing  of  it,  wejtt  to  the 
Governor  and  obtained  a  commifTi  n  to  kill  a  many  as  be  could 
of  ihem;  and  accordingly  went  with  a  rompany  of  armed  men, 
and  fet  upon  them,  when  they  feared  no  fuch  ("hing  trom  the 
Dutch,  and  killed  70  or  80  men,  women  and  childrea.  Upon 
this  the  Indians  burnt  divert  of  their  farm  houfes,  and  their 
cattle  in  thcro ;  acd  flew  all  ibey  could  meet  i^ith,  10  iht  num.* 

b«r 


148      HISTORY  of  the  BAPTISTS 

point  commifTioners  to  manage  the  affairs  of  the 
iflands  and  other  plantations ;  from  whom,  by  the 
kind  alTiftancc  of  Sir  Henry  Vane,  who  was  one  of 
them,  Mr.  Williams  obtained  a  charter,  including 
the  lands  *'  bordering  northward  and  northcaft  on 
♦*  the  patent  of  the  MaiTachufctts,  eail  and  foutheaft 
*'  on  Plymouth  patent,  fouth  on  the  ocean,  and  on 
"  the  weft  and  northweft  by  the  Indians  called 
"  Narraganfets ;  the  whole  tract  extending  about 
"  twenty-ftve  miles,  unto  the  Pcquod  river   and 

"  country ; 

faer  of  30  or  mote,  of  men,  women  ac^  childrent  and  purfued 
kard  upon  the  Dutch,  even  home  to  their  fort  Aurana  (Albany) 
that  they  vyere  forced  tu  call  in  the  English  (•  their  aid,  and 
enicrtaiited  Captain  U<i  Jet  hill  in  iheif  fetvice.  Marine  wasfo 
anuch  enraged  lo  fee  Uoderhill  preferred  before  him,  that  liis 
Goverricr  wai  forced  at  hft  to  feijd  him  heme  in  chaiai. 
J^boui  this  lime  Capt.iia  Patrick,  who  went  from  B(  Aon,  was 
jliat  dead  by  a  Du'.chmtn,  upon  a  Lordfday,  at  Stamford. 
Though  the  people  were  all  icr  war  bcfcte,  yel  now  they  were 
fomuch  offended  with  theG.rcrnor,  »h£t  heen'ertttoed  a  guard 
ef  ;o  £"gh{h  about  his  perf.n.  And  the  I^-dians  annoyed  them 
fi  by  fuddea  ail'aults  out  of  fvampt,  &c.  ihat  he  wai  forced  ta 
kerp  a  runnicg  army  to  nppofe  them  upon  all  ocoaJlr)Df.  The 
Jndiins  killed  ard  drrveall  before  them  as  far  as  Stamford  ;  fie«r 
Mrs.  Hu!chinfon  8?td  her  family,  oil  except  ore  whom  thrjr 
captivated.  They  psffsd  o«cr  to  Long-Iflacd,  and  t^e  natives 
there  took  part  with  them,  ard  began  to  burn  the  Dutehmen'a 
))cuf:>;  afTaultrd  the  hoafe  of  the  lady  Moodv,  who  rot  l^ng 
before  moved  from  Salem  cpon  the  account  of  Anabaptij'm  ;  ht% 
fRS  was  ds''ended  by  /orty  men  that  gaibeted  to  her  boufc, 
which  ihey  affaultcd  divers  timet.  Bat  the  Long>Ifland  Indians, 
••  by  the  mediation  of  Mr.  Williams  (who  wa*  then  there  t« 
•«  take  til ip  fur  England)  v/ere  pnt'tfied,  Hh6  psoit  rt-(ja6lijl>/d 
<*  between  ihe  Dutch  ai^d  them.  But  ftill  upon  the  main,  they 
'*  ici  upon  the  Dutch  with  an  implatablefur<|i,  ktiling  all  (hey 
**  could  oome  by,  bumirg  their  hourei,  and  dcftroying  their 
f '  cattle,  without  ary  renilance  ;  fn  as  the  Governor  and  ffch  at 
*<  efcaped  b«ock  ihemfelves  to  their  for:  at  M^nhatos  [New- 
*•  York]  and  there  lived  open  their  rstslc.  But  many' of  the 
"  Ir  d  ani  being  deftroyed  by  Capiaia  Underbill  aod  bit  fol- 
**  lowrrs,  at  laft  they  began  10  be  weary  of  the  fpr  rt,  and  confie* 
*'  fcfadisd  t*  tctini  ef  pcjice."    Wttttlntpr-Unkb^rd' 


[1644]       IN  NEW-ENGLAND.        149 

♦*  country  ;  to  be  known  by  the  naniic  of  The 
*'  Incorporation  of  Frovidence  Plantations, 
*'  in  the  Narraganset-Bay,  in  New-England. 
"  Together  with  full  pov/er  and  authority  to  rule 
''  themfelves,  and  fuch  others  as  (hall  hereafter  in- 
''  habit  within  any  part  of  the  faid  trad  of  land,  by 
"  fuch  form  of  civil  government,  as  by  voluntary 
*'  confent  of  all,  or  the  greater  part  of  them,  they 
*'  fhall  find  moft  fuitable  to  their  eftate  and  condi- 
'*  tion.— Provided  the  civil  government  of  the  faid 
**  plantations  be  conformable  to  the  laws  of  Eng- 
*'  land,  lo  far  as  the  nature  and  conftitution  of  the 
•*  place  will  admit." 

This  charter  was  figned  March  14,  1644,  by 
Robert  Warwick,  Philip  Pembroke,  Say  and  Seal, 
Philip  Wharton,  Arthur  Haflerig,  Cornelius  Hol- 
land, Henry  Vane,  Samuel  Vaflel,  John  Rolle, 
Miles  Corbet,  and  William  Spurftow*. 


CHAP.     III. 

From  1644  to  i^S'j  containing  the 
firft  Law  that  was  made  in  New- 
England  againft  the  Baptifts,  and  a 
Variety  of  other  Events. 

THE  firft  Baptill:  church  in  Newport  we.  arc 
told  was  formed  and  fet  in  order  about  this 
year,  under  the  miniftry  of  Mr.  John  Clark  ;  which 
is  the  firft  ohwrch  of  any  denomination  on  Rhodc- 
Ifland  that  has  continued  by  fucceflion,  and  the 
fecond  in  the  colony  f.     Alfo  in  the  Maflachurctts 

wc 

*  See  faid  charter  in  the  Hiftory  of  Providence, 
f  The  £rft  certain  date  in  their  church  records  is  taken  from 
a  manufeript  of  Mr.  Samuel  Hubbard  in  1648,   which  fay«  the 

church 


tso      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  . 

we  arc  told  that  "  Anabaptifts  increafed  and  fpread 
"  in  the  country  J."  U'^on  which  they  framed 
and  pafled  the  following  a<ft  at  their  General  Court, 
Kovember  13,  1644. 

*'  Forafmuch  as  experience  hath  plentifully 
and  often  proved,  that  fince  the  firft  rifing  of  the 
Anabaptiils,  about  100  years  fincc»  they  have  been 
the  incendiaries  of  the  commonwealths,  and  the 
infeftors  of  perfons  in  main  -matters  of  religion, 
and  the  troublers  of  churches  in  all  places  where 
they  have  been,  and  that  they  who  have  held  the 
baptizing  of  infants  qnlawful,  have  ufually  held 
other  errors  or  herefies  together  therewith,  though 
they  have  (as  other  heretics  ufe  to  do)  concealed  the 
fame  till  they  fpie^  out  a  fit  advantage  and  oppor- 
tunity to  vent  them,  by  way  of  queftion  or  fcruple  ; 
and^  whereas  divers  of  this  kind  have  fince  our 
coming  into  Ncw-Engltnd  appeared  amongft  our- 
felves,  fome  whereof  (as  others  before  them)  denied 
the  ordinance  of  magiflracy,  and  the  lawfulnefs  of 
making  war,  and  others  the  lawfulnefs  of  magi- 
ftrates,  and  their  infpe6lion  into  any  breach  of  the 
firft  table  J  which  opinions,  if  they  fhould  be  con* 
nived  at  by  us,  are  like  to  be  increafed  amongft  us, 
and  fo  muft  nccefTarily  bring  guilt  upon  us,  in- 
feAion  and  trouble  to  the  churches,  and  hazard  to 
the  whole  commonwealth  ;  it  is  ordered  and  agreed, 
that  if  any  perlbn  or  perfons,  within  thisjurifdiflion, 
ftiajl  either  openly  condemn  or  oppofe  the  baptizing 
of  infants,  or  go  about  fecretly  to  feduce  others  frortx 
the  approbation  or  ufe  thereof,  or  fliall  purpofely 
depart  the  congregation  at  the  miniftration  of  the 

ordiniancc, 

church  was  formed  about  the  year  1644,  and  by  what  I  have 
quoted  from  Winthrop  and  Hubbard,  it  appears  as  likeljr  to  be 
ifarlicr  as  later  than  thai  time. 
%  Wixithrtp. 


[1644]      'IN    NEW-ENGLAND.       i^ 

ordinance,  or  Ihall  deny  ths  ordinance  of  magiftracjr, 
or  their  lawful  right  and  authority  to  make  war, 
or  to  punilh  the  outward  breaches  of  the  firif  table,, 
and  fhall  appear  to  the  court  wilfully  and  obllinate- 
ly  to  continue  therein  after  due  time  and  means  of 
conviction,  every  fuch  perfon  or  pcrlbns  ihall  be 
fentencei  to  bmipment*. 

Let  it  be  here  noted,  that  the  evident  dcfign  of 
this  law  was  to  guard  againit  fuch  as  refuted  to 
countenance  infant  baptifna,  and  the  ufe  of  fecular 
force  in  religious  affairs ;  which  the  Baptifts  have 
ever  done  from  that  day  to  this  -,  but  the  other 
articles  inferted  in  this  aft  they  have  not  owned ; 
and  the  court  then  had  no  proof  at  hand,  but  were 
forced  to  have  recourfe  to  furmifcs,  diHunt  timcs^ 

and 


*  Maffachufitts  Records.  Mr.  Hubbard  fpeaking  of  their 
making  this  law,  fays,  •'  but  with  what  fuccefi  is  hard  to  fay  ; 
all  men  being  naturally  inclined  vto  pitv  them  that  fuffer,  how 
much  foever  they  are  incenfed  againft  offenders  in  general. 
Nataral  confcience  and  the  reverence  of  a  Deity,  that  ts  deeply 
engraved  on  the  hearts  of  all,  make  men  more  apt  to  favocj 
them  that  fuffer  for  religion,  true  or  falfe."  A  judicious  re- 
mark ;  yet  in  another  inflance  we  may  fee  how  party  mlluencc 
can  blind  great  men.  For  this  author  in  1638  tells  u«  of 
Arneld's  oppoling  their  cenfuring  Verin  at  Providence,  for 
r-fufing  to  let  his  wife  go  to  Mr,  Williamt's  meeting  fo  often  &s 
ihe  was  called  for,  and  reprefents  that  to  cenfure  Verin  therefor, 
would  be  a  breach  of  God-s  ordinance,  aboat  the  "  fubjeftioa 
**  of  wives  to  their  hufbands."  But  the  fame  author  informs 
us,  that  in  1644  one  Painter,  a  poor  man,  was  fuddenly  turned 
Anabaptift,  '*  a»d  having  a  child  born,  v/ouid  not  fufferhis  wife 
*'  to  carry  it  to  be  baptized.  He  was  complained  ©f  for  this  t<» 
*'  the  court,  and  enjoimi  by  them  to  fuffer  his  child  to  be  bap- 
**  tized."  And  becauft  he  refufed  to  obey  them  therein,  and 
told  them  it  was  an  Antichriftian  ordinance,  they  tyed  him  up 
and  vvhipt  him  ;  which  he  bare  without  flinching,  and  declared 
he  had  divine  help  to  fupport  him  ;  upon  which,  fays  our  aathoj, 
*'  two  or  three  honeft  men  that  were  his  neighbours  affirmed 
•«  that  he  was  of  very  loofe  be^avicwr  at  honje,':'  &g.    Be  it  fo 


^2      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

and  foreign  countries,  for  them  ;  and  a  like  method 
of  treating  the  Baptifts,  in  courts,  from  pulpits  and 
from  the  prefs,  has  been  handed  down  by  tradition 
ever  lince.  And  can  wc  believe  that  men  fo  know- 
ing and  virtuous  in  other  rclpefls,  as  many  on  that 
fide  have  been,  would  have  introduced  and  continued 
in  a  way  of  treating  their  neighbours,  which  is  fo 
unjuft  and  fcandalous,  if  they  could  have  found  bet- 
ter arguments  to  fupport  that  caufe  upon  ?  1  have 
diligently  fcarched  all  the  books,  records  and  paper* 
I  could  come  at  upon  all  (ides,  and  have  found  a 
great  number  of  inftances  of  Baptifts  fufFcring  for 
the  above  points  that  wc  own  ;  but  not  one  inftance 
of  the  conviflion  of  any  member  of  a  Baptifl  church 
in  this  country,  in  any  court,  of  the  errors  or  evils 
which  arc  infertcd  in  this  law  to  juftify  their  making 
of  it,  and  to  render  our  denomination  odious*. 
Much  has  been  faid  to  exalt  the  charafters  of  thofe 
good  fathers  :  I  have  no  defire  of  detra<5ling  from 
any  of  their  virtues ;  but  the  better  the  men  were, 
the  v/orfe  mufl  be  the  principle  that  could  enfnare 
them  in  fuch  bad  aflions. 

The  contraft  betwixt  their  treatment  of  Mr. 
Wheelwright  and   Mr.  Williams  this  year  deferves 

notice. 

or  not,  yet  we  have  no  better  account  of  Venn's  charafter  than 
©f  his,  yet  Vcrin  muft  not  b«  cenfured  for  withholding  his  wife 
from  meeting  ;  but  if  poor  Paioter  will  not  gire  up  the  difpofal 
of  his  children  to  bis  wife,  at  the  court's  commandment,  he  muft 
not  only  be  cesfared,  but  alfo  fulFer  corporal  punifliment :  Yea, 
and  into  the  bargain,  be  publicly  reproached  for  his  private 
failings !  Governor  Winthrop  telii  us  he  belonged  to  Hingham, 
and  fays  he  was  whipt  "  for  reproaching  the  Lord's  erdinance.'* 
But  did  not  they  reproach  infant-fprinkling,  by  taking  fucH 
methods  to  fupport  ic,  much  more  than  Painter  did  ? 

•  That  is  not  one  inftance  in  any  government  that  fupported 
Paedobaptifm  by  force.  But  Mr.  Williams,  when  Governor  of 
Providence  colony  in  1655,  afted  with  the  coart  in  puniihing 
a  man  for  oppofing  all  government,  who  then  was  called  a 
Baptiil,  but  ^fcertvraed  to  ;ii9  Quakert. 


11644.]      IN  NEW-EJ^GLAND.        1$^ 

•notice.  Upon  a  new  running  of  the  line,  the  MaH- 
Tachufetts  had  taken  Exeter  into  their  colony,  which 
caufed  Mr.  Wheelwright  to  remove  to  Wells,  from 
v/hence  he  wrote  to  the  Governor  at  Bofton  for  a 
reconciliation,  Dec.  7^  1643,  and  faid,  *' it  is  the 
*'  grief  of  my  foul  that  I  ufcd  fuch  vehement 
''  cenforious  fpeeches.  I  repent  me  that  I  did  ad- 
here to  perfons  of  corrupt  judgments,,  to  the 
countenancing  and  encouraging  of  them  in  any 
*'  of  their  errors,  or  evil  pracflices,  though  I  intend- 
"  ed  no  fuch  thing."  The  court  inclined  to  hear 
him,  of  which  the  Governor  lent  him  a  writteri 
account,  and  received  fuch  a  reply  as  would  make 
one  think  of  Bifhop  Burnet's  remark-.  Said  he,  there 
are  none  of  us  but  what  will  acknowledge  mgcneral 
terms  that  our  church  is  imperfed:,  though  when  we 
come  to  partkulars  we  are  always  in  the  right -f. 

X  Yet 

f  Said  letter  to  ths  Governor  js  ia  thefe  Words : 
R.  V/. 

*•  I  have  received  your  letters,  whsrein  yoiufignify  tome,  thaft 
jrou  hav^e  imparted  my  letter  to  the  H.  C.  and  that  it  finds  good 
acceptance,  for  which  1  rejoice  with  all  thankfulnefs ;  as  alfo  for 
iiberty  of  fafe  condufl  granted  by  the  coi^?tj  and,  in  cafe  I  dc" 
iire,  letters  for  that  end.  I  fhould  very  willingl  (upon  le tiers 
obtained)  exprefs  by  word  of  mouth,  openly  in  courf>  thai: 
which  i  did  by  writing,  might  I  without  ©^«ce  exprefs  m/ 
true  intent  and  meaning  more  fully  to  this  effeft,  that  notwrih- 
standing  my  failings  (for  which  i  crave  pardon.)  yet  I  cannoc 
with  a  goodconfcience  condemn  myfelf  for  fuch  capital  crimes, 
dangerous  revelations  and  grofs  errors,  as  have  been  charged  upon 
me.  Thi  concurrence  of  which,  as  I  take  it,  make  up  the  fub- 
ilance  of  all  my  fufferings;  I  do  not  fee  but  in  fo  mixt  a  cauff^,  f 
am  bound  to  ufe,  may  it  be  permitted,  my  juft  defence,  fo  fai* 
as  J  apprehend  myfelf  to  be  innocent,  and  to  make  mv  confef-* 
uon  where  I  am  convinced  of  any  dclinqcncy,'  otherwife  I  ihall 
fcemingly  and  in  appearance  fall  under  guilt  of  many  heinous 
ofFenccs,  for  which  my  confcience  doih  acquit  me.  if  I  feem  to 
fnake  fuit  to  the  court  for  relaxation  to  be  granted  as  an  adt  of 
mercjr  upon  my  fole  confeCioft,  I  ir.uit  offend  my^-^cnfcience  ;  if 

by 


i|4     HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

Yet  without  waiting  for  his  perfonal  appearance, 
they  at  the  General  Court  in  Bolton,  May  29,  1644, 
palled  the  following  adl,  viz. 

*'  It  is  ordered  that  Mr.  Wheelwright  (upon  a 
*'  particular,  Iblemn,  and  ferious  acknowledgment 
**  and  confcflTion,  by  letters,  of  his  evil  carriages,  and 
*'  of  the  court's  jultice  upon  him  for  them)  hath 
"  his  banilhment  taken  ©ff,  and  is  received  as  a 
**  member  of  this  commonwealth*." 

Mr.  Williams  returned  with  the  charter  he  had 
procured  to  Bofton,  the  17th  of  September  follow- 
ing-]-, and  brought  the  enluing  letter  with  him. 
To  the  right  worfhipful  the  Governor  and  AlTiftants, 
and   the  reft:  of  our  worthy  friends  in  the  planta- 
tion of  MaiTachufetts-Bay. 
Our  much  honored  friends ^ 
**  TAKING  notice  fome  of  us  of  long  time 
of  Mr.  Roger  Williams's  good  affeftions  and  con- 
fcien^e,  and  of  his  fufferings  by  our  common  enemy 
and  opprefTors  of  God's  people  the  prelates,  as  alio 
of  his  great  indrpftry  and  travels  in  his  printed  Indian 

labours 

"hj  an  tftof  judice,  upon  mj  apology  and  lawfal  defence,  I  fear  I 
Ihat!  here  offend  your  WotiliipN  I  leave  all  things  to  your  wife 
and  holy  conGderaiioni  hoping  you  will  pardon  my  fimplicity  and 
plainaeri,  which"  I  am  forced  unto  by  the  power  of  an  over-ruling 
sonfcience.     I  reft  yosr  Wordiip'i  ia  the  Lord, 

J.  Wheblwricht." 

WtlU  (!)  I,  1643. 

Wintbrep — Hubbard.  Nofe,  their  way  wss  to  begin  the  year 
wiih  March  2;,  fo  that  according  to  our  reckoning  this  wai 
JMarch  I,    1644. 

•  At  the  fame  time  they  pafled  a  fentenee,  that  «*  Richard 
Waterman,  being  found  erroneoui,  heretical  and  obftinate,  it  was 
ordered  that  he  (hould  be  detained  prifoner  till  the  quarter  court 
in  the  feven^W  month,  unlcfs  five  of  the  magidrates  find  caufe  to 
fend  him  away,  which  if  they  do,  it  is  ordered,  he  ^all  not  re; 
turn  within  thii  jurifdiftion  upon  fain  cf  Jiath.** 

Mafaihufttts  Rt(trdf, 

t  Wiathrop,' 


[1644]       IN    NEW-ENGLAND.       155 

iabours  in  your  parts  (the  like  whereof  we  have 
HOC  feen  extant  from  any  part  of  America)  ^jid  m 
which  refpcd  it  hath  pleafed  both  Houfes  of  Par- 
liament to  grant  unto  him  and  friends  with  him  a 
free  and  ablblute  charter  of  civil  government  for 
thofe  parts  of  his  abode,  and  withal  forrowfuliy 
refenting  that  amongft  good  men  (our  friends) 
driven  to  the  ends  of  the  world,  exercifed  with  the 
trials  of  a  wildernefs.  and  who  mutually  give  good 
teftimony  each  of  the  other  (as  we  obferve  you  do 
of  him,  and  he  abundantly  of  you*)  there  fhould 
be  fuch  a  diftance-,  wc  thought  it  fit  upon  divers 
confiderations  to  profefs  our  great  defires  of  both 
your  utmoft  endeavours  of  nearer  clofing  and  of 
ready  expreffing  thofe  good  afFedions  (which  wc 
perceive  you  bear  each  to  other)  in  effedual  per« 
formance  of  all  friendly  oiSccs.  The  rather  be- 
caufe  of  thofe  bad  neighbours  you  are  likely  to  find 
too  too  near  you  in  Virginia,  and  the  unfriendly 
vifits  from  the  weft  of  England  and  from  Irclanda 
That  howfocver  it  may  plcafe  the  Moft  High  to 
jQjakc  our  foundations,  yet  the  report  of  your 
X  2  peaceable 

*  Mr.  William!  confiimed  hii  profeiSon  oflovt  (9  them  bf  hie 
practice,  in  coolftantljp  doing  them  all  ths  g9od  in  hit  power» 
both  in  this  coantrjr  and  at  the  British  courto  where  aKo  his 
great  friend,  Sir  Henry  Vane,  this  year  fhewed  a  truly  ChriSiaa 
ipirit  of  forgivcncfs  towatds  the  MaRashufeCts;  for  when  opon  s 
certain  a^air  *'  a  heavy  complaint  wtt  made  sgainft  thegoyern* 
**  men t,  and  they  were  threatened  with  the  lofs  of  their  privi- 
*'  leges,  Sir  Henry  Vane  tlood  their  friend,  and  by  hii  great  la- 
**  teretl  with  the  Parliament,  appeafcd  their  refentment,  and 
'*  laid  the  ftorm  which  wes  gathering  and  hung  ever  them."* 
Majacbu/ttts  Hi/lory,  vol.  j,  p.  66. 

Mr.  WilHam»'i  printed  Ind.an  labourt  referred  to,  which  ha£ 
con  Qdcrable  influence  in  prrcunng  their  charter,  were  three  years 
before  the  famouo  Mr.  Elliot  begaa  to  preach  to  the  Indiaag  a£ 
H>'><ck,or  Mr.  Thomas  Ma)hewat  Mirtha't  Vineyard. 
M^nnfia,  b,  3,  p.  193.    Maj&tv/j  JtUiaif  Cenvtm,  p.  5. 


j^e     HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

peaceable  and  profpcrous  plantations  may  be  feme 
reUeihings  to  your  trueartd  fiithlul  friends. 
Cor.  Holland,  Robert  HarUy^ 

John  Blackijiewt  John  Gurdon, 

IJanc  Pennii.gtQny  Ncrthumberland, 

Miles  Cerbety  P.  IFharton, 

Oliver  St.  John^  Thomas  Barrington^ 

Cibert  Pickering,  PFilliam  Marjham  *." 

It  is  liid,  "  up<)H  the  receipt  of  this  letter,  the  Go- 
vernor and  magiltrates  of  the  Mjflachufctts  fouiid, 
vipon  examination  of  their  hearts,  no  reafon  to  con- 
demn themlelves  for  any  former  proceedings  againft 
Mr.  Williams  j  but  for  any  offices  of  Chriftian  love, 
and  duties  of  humanity,  they  were  very  willing  to 
maintain  a  mutual  correfpondence  with  him  ;  but 
as  to  his  dangerous  principles  of  feparation,  unlefs 
he  can  be  brought  to  lay  them  down,  they  fee  no 
realon  why  to  concede  to  him,  or  any  fo  pqrfuadcd, 
free  liberty  of  ingrefs  or  egrefs,  left  any  of  their 
people  Ihould  be  drawn  away  with  his  erroneous 
opinions  -[-.'* 

The  reader  may  remember  that  Wheelwright,  in 
his  fentence  of  banifhment,  was  charged  with  con- 
f:ernptand  fedition,  which  he  never  confefied  ;  .and 
|:hat  Governor  Winthrop  declared  his  opinions  to  be 
worfc  than  Mr.  Williams's  J  ;  yet  now  the   one  is 

received 

*  Majpicbufitti  Hiflery^  vol.  i ,  p.  39,  40.  King  Cliarles  the 
£rl^'i  partjr  t|  that  lime  htd  the  co.Tunand  of  theweficf  Eng- 
land, Ireland  aid  Virgtria,  and  fear  of  vifiii  from  them  ii  what 
|h«jr  refer  to.  That  part/  was  defeated  the  text  yearv  and  the 
Kia^  taken  prlfoner* 

•f-  Hubbard. 

X  The  court'4  lisnteice  agaiaft  hTm  was  in  thefe  wordr : 
««  Wherea*  Mr.  Roger  Williamt,  one  of  the  e'deri  of  tbe  church 
of  Salem,  hath  broached  and  divol/cd  di»era  new  and 
^aagerous  opinioDi,  agai'^ft  the  au-h^ri  y  of  magif^raies,  as 
alfo  written  letters  of  defamation  boih  of  the  magiflrate*  and 
trhbrch^i  here,  asd  that  before  aay  canvi^ioiii  ^4  1*^  '"*"" 


[1644.]        IN    N^W-ENGLAND.      157 

received   to  favour   and  liberty    again,    while  the 
other  is  denied  it,  though  he  had  done  the  colony 
fuch  great  and  efiential  fervices   as  the  former  never 
did.     How  can  we  account  for  this  ?  The  bell  an- 
fwer  I  can  give  is,  that   IVlr.  Wheelwright    held   to 
infant  baptilm,  and  to  the    magiftrates   power   to 
govern  in  religious  affairs,  and  now  yielded  to  their 
exercife  of  it ;  but  Mr.  Williams  denied  both,   for 
which  he  was  excommunicated  by  the  ehurch,  after 
the  court  had  fent  him  away  ;  Wheelwright  was  alfo 
in  fuch  favour  with  Mr.  Cotton,  that  he  was   dif- 
milled  from    his  church    in    fellowfhip,   after  the 
court  had  baniflied  him  for  fedirion;  and   he   now 
appeared  very  complaifant  and  fubmifliveto  men  in 
power  :  But  Williams  was  fo  "  Jelf- conceited^  turbU' 
"  lent^  and  unchariiakle,  as  to  give   public  adver-\ 
"  tiiements  and  admonition  to   all   men,  whether 
"  of  meaner  or  more  public  note  and  place,  of  the 
"  corruptions  of  religion   which  him/elf  obferved, 
"  both  in  their  judgments  and  pracflices ;  of  which 
"  there  needs  no  other  evidence,  than  what   is   ob- 
"  vious  to  the  view  of  every  indifferent   reader,  in 
"  his  dealing  with  that  famous  and  reverend  divine 
"  Mr.  John  Cotton,  in  his  book  called  The  bloody 
"  Tenetr 

Thefe  words  Mr.  Hubbard  quotes  from  another, 
as  the  received  opinion  of  that  day.  Bqt  who  was 
this  reverend  divine,  and  how  was  he  dealt  with  ? 
Was  not  Mr.  Williams  as  truly  a  minifter  of  Chrift: 
as  he  ,'*  Does  ielf-conceit  move  men  to   give  plain 

warnings 

ItUeth  the  fame  nrlihaot  rctra£lion  :  It  ii  therefore  ^r^ered,  thxt 
the  fatd  Mr,  Williaoii  fhill  depirt  out  of  »hij  jurifdidlnn  wi  hio 
fix  weetct  new  rext  eeruiag,  *iliich  if  he  ■rglcft  to  perform,  it 
ihall  be  lawful  for  the  Governor  «nd  two  cf  ihe  m^giArates  to 
fend  him  to  fame  place  out  cf  ihii  jurifdiflioB,  sot  to  return  an/ 
{Q9r«  withoat  liceoce  fton  the  c^t<r  ." 

M-Jfathu/itts  Rtctrdi,   1 63 5. 


15S      HISTORY  or  the  BAPTISTS 

warnings  to  great  men,  which  have  a  tendency  ta 
expofe  felf  to  heavy  fufFcrings  ?  And  does  it  move 
perlbns  to  do  every  kind  office  they  can  from  year 
to  year,  for  thofe  who  will  not  hear  reproof,  but  re- 
quite evil  for  good  ?  This  is  a  different  fort  of  pride 
than  what  mod  men  are  acquainted  with.  Howe- 
ver that  the  reader  may  have  a  fair  opportunity  of 
judging  for  himfelf,  I  fliall  endeavour  plainly  to 
fiate  before  him  the  occafion  and  nature  of  this  con- 
trovcrfy  between  Cotton  and  Williams. 

A  prifoner  in  Newgate  wrote  fome  arguments 
againii  perfecution,  which  were  prefented  to  Mr. 
Cotton,  and  he  wrote  an  anfwer  to  them  in  a  letter 
to  one  Mr.  Hall,  of  Roxbury  •,  who  not  being  fatis- 
iied  therewith,  fent  them  to  Mr.  Williams  at  Pro- 
vidence, requeuing  him  to  write  upon  the  fubjcft. 
And  as  Mr.  Cotton  doled  his  letter  to  Mr.  Hall 
with  faying,  "  I  forbear  adding  reafons  to  juftify 
f*  the  truth,  becaufe  you  may  find  that  done  to 
**  your  hand,  in  a  treatifc  fent  to  fome  of  the  brc- 
**  thren,  late  of  Salem,  who  doubted  as  you  do  :" 
Mr.  Williams  wrote  to  Mr.  Sharp,  elder  of  Salem 
church,  for  it,  and  obtained  it  §.  He  then  wrote 
his  fentiments  upon  the  whole,  under  the  title  of 
^he  Moody  Temt  of  Perfecution  for  Confcience  Sake  i 
which  I  fuppofe  he  now  brought  with  him  from  Lon- 
don, though  I  have  not  been  able  to  obtain  it.  Mr. 
Cotton  wrote  an  anfwer  to  him,  which  he  called  The 
bloody  'Tenet  wafhed^  snd  made  white  in  the  Blocd  tf  the 
Lamb',  that  was  printed  in  London  in  1647.  To 
this  Mr.  Williams  publilhed  a  reply  in  1652,  inti- 
tuled. The  Moody  Tenet  yet  more  Moody ^  ly  Mr.  Cot- 
ton* sEndeavtur  to  "Kafh  it  white.  The  two  lad  of 
thefe  performaraces  are  now  before  me,  and  from 
thence  I  fhall  give  the  reader  their  own  words  upon 
the  moft^atcrial  points  of  their  difpute. 

Firft. 

§  William's  Reply  to  Cotton,  p.  290,  291; 


fi644.]       IN  NEW-ENGLAND.        159 

Firft.  Mr.  Cotton's  memory  failed  him  fo  much 
as  to  rcprefent,  that  what  he  wrote  in  anfwer  to  the 
prifoncr*s  arguments,  was  in  a  private  letter  to  Mr. 
Williams,  and  upon  that  faid,  "  I  wrote  my  con- 
fcience,  and  the  truth  of  God  according  to  my  con- 
fcience  ;  why  fhould  he  punifh  me  with  open  pe* 
nance,  and  expofc  me  (as  much  as  in  him  lieth 
to  the  world)  to  openlliame,  as  a  man  of  blood,  for 
the  liberty  of  my  confcience  ?  How  will  it  Hand 
with  his  own  principles,  to  plead  for  liberty  of  con- 
fcience and  yet  to  punifli  it  ?  Befides  let  him  re- 
member, if  I  did  offend  him  with  fuch  an  error,  it 
was  but  a  private  offence,  and  the  rule  of  the  gof- 
pel  required  he  fhould  firft  have  convinced  and 
admonifhed  me  privately  of  it,  and  fo  have  pro- 
ceeded upon  my  contumacy,  at  length  to  have  told 
the  church,  before  he  had  publilhed  it  to  the 
world*."     C.  p.  2. 

Mr.  Williams  in  his  reply  mentions  Mr.  Cotton's 
miftake  about  who  he  wrote  the  letter  to,  and  that 
he  fuppofed  his  anfwer  to  the  prifoner's  arguments 
had  been  as  public  as  his  profeffion  and  pradice  vv'as 
upon  that  tenet,  and  then  fays,  "  but  grant  it  had 
been  a  private  letter,  and  the  difcourfe  and  the  opi- 
nion private  j  yet  why  doth  he  charge  the  difciiller 
■with  breach  of  rule,  in  not  ufing  orderly  ways 
of  admonition,  and  telling  the  church,  when  mailer 
Cotton  in  this  book  blames  the  difcufferfor  difclaim- 
ing  communion  with  their  church,  and  they  alfo 
(after  he  was  driven  by  banijhment  from  civil  habi- 
tation amongft  them)  had  fent  forth  a  bull  of  ex- 
communication againft  him  in  his  abfence !  Such 
praflice  the  Lord  Jefus  and  his  firft  apoftles  or  mef- 
i,  fengers 

,  •  Note,  C.  and  W.  In  this  account  ftand  for  Cotton 
and  Williams's  books  abovefaid  ;  the  figures  for  the  page* 
therelR. 


i6®     HISTORY  or  the  BAPTISTS 

fcngers  never  taught. — I  never  heard  that  dif- 
pucing,  difcourfing  and  examining  men's  tenets  or 
doftrines  b/  the  word  of  God,  was,  in  proper,  Eng- 
lidi,  perfecution  for  confcience :  Well  had  it  been 
for  New-England,  that  nofcrvant  of  God,  nor  wit- 
nefs  of  Chrift,  could  juftly  take  up  complaint  for 
other  kinds  of  perfecution."     W.  p.  4,  5. 

The  main  point  of  all  Mr.  Cotton's  wafliings  is  a 
denial  of  the  charge  of  periecuting  any  for  caufe  of 
confcience,  and  he  fays,  "  I  exprefly  profefs,  i, 
that  no  man  is  to  be  perfecuted  at  all,  much  lefs 
for  confcience  fake.  2,  I  profefs  further,  that  none 
is  to  bepunifh.ed  for  confcience  fake,  though  erro- 
neous, unlefs  his  errors  be  fundamental,  or  feditiouf- 
ly  and  turbulently  promoted,  and  that  after  due 
conviflion  of  confcience;  that  it  may  appear,  he  is 
rot  punifhed  for  his  confcience,  but  for  finning 
againil  his  confcience. — If  this  tenet  have  any  ap- 
pearance of  blood  in  it,  it  is  becaufe  it  is  waihed  in 
the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  and  lealed  with  his  blood. 
And  th€n  though  it  may  feem  bloody  to  men  of 
corrupt  minds  and  deftitute  of  th©  truth  (as  Paul 
feemed  to  fuch  to  be  a  peflilent  fellow)  yet  to  faith- 
ful and  upright  fouls,  fuch  things  as  are  wafhed  in 
the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  are  wont  to  comiC  forth 
white."  C.  p.  3. 

In  reply  to  this  Mr.  Williams  fays,  "  is  not  this 
the  guife  and  profeflion  of  all  that  ever  perfecuted 
or  hunted  men  for  their  religion  and  confcience  ? 
Are  not  all  hiftories  and  experiences  full  of  the  pa- 
thetical  fpeeches  of  perfecutors  to  this  purpofe  ? 
You  will  lay  you  are  perfecuted  for  your  confcience, 
you  plead  confcience,  thou  art  a  heretic,  the  devil 
hath  deceived  thee,  thy  confcience  is  deluded,  &c. 
—Time  hath  and  will  difcovcr  that  fuch  a  blacka- 
merg  cannot  be  waflied  ip  the  blood  of  Chrift  him- 

fcif, 


[1644.]        ifJ    NEW-ENGLAND.      i6t 

felf,  without  repentance."  And  he  goes  on  to  ob- 
lerve,  that  the  letting  up  of  ftate  religions  has  hcen 
the  grand  Iburce  of  p^rfecucion  in  every  age.  W, 
p.  6,  7.  Againil  which  he  brought  our  Lord's  para- 
ble of  t!ie  lares  of  ihe  field.  Upon  which  Mr.  Cot- 
ton faid,  "  it  is  true,  Chrift  cxpoundcth  the  field 
to  be  the  world,  but  he  meant  not  the  world,  but 
(by  an  ufual  trope)  the  church  fcattered  throughout 
the  world,"     C.  p.  41. 

Mr.  Williams  fays,  "  it  Is  no  wonder  to  find 
mailer  Cotton  fo  entangled,  both  in  his  anlwers  and 
replies  touching  this  parable  \  for  men  of  all  forts 
in  former  ages  have  been  fo  entangled  before  him. 
To  which  purpofe  I  will  relact  a  notable  paffage  re- 
corded by  that  excellent  witnefs  ot  God,  mailer  Fox, 
in  his  book  of  A(fts  and  Monuments  -,  it  is  this  :  In 
the  Ilory  of  Mr,  George  Wifehari:,  in  the  da«^s  of 
King  Henry  the  eighth,  there  preached  at  the  ar- 
raignment of  faid  Wifehar*  one  John  Winryme, 
Tub-prior  of  the  abbey  of  St.  Andrews  ;  he  difcout f- 
ed  on  the  parable  of  the  tares  ;  he  interpreted  the 
tares  to  be  heretics  ;  and  yet  contrary  to  this  very 
fcripture  (as  Mr,  Fox  obferveth,  though  elfewherc 
himfclf  maintains  it  the  duty  of  the  civil  magillrat^i 
to  fupprefs  heretics)  1  fay  thg  laid  V/inryme  con- 
cludeth  that  heretics  ought  not  to  be  kt  alone  un- 
til the  harvelt,  but  to  be  fuppreffed  by  the  power  of 
the  civil  magittrate.  So  that  boih  th^  i^-pifh  prior 
and  the  truly  Chriltian  Fox  were  entangle  J  in  con- 
iradi^ions  to  their  own  writings  about  this  heavenly 
fcripture."     W.  p.  46, 

To  fupport  the  no:ijn  of  calling  the  chuuh  the 
world,  Mr.  Cotton  quoted  fome  texts  wherein  the 
redeemed  arc  fo  called.  C.  p.  43.  In  reply  Mr. 
Wdliams  favs,  *'  grant  that  it  haih  pleafed  the'  Lor  J 
in  his  infinite  wifdom  to  caufe  the  term  world  to  be 

Y         '  uiA 


x62      HISTORY  OF  the  BAPTISTS 

ufed  in  various  fignifications ;  yet  let  any  inftance 
be  given  of  any  Icripture,  wherein  the  Lord  oppof- 
ing  the  church  and  world,  wheat  and  tares  doth 
not  diftinguifli  between  the  church  redeemed  out  of 
the  world,  and  the  world  itlelf,  which  is  faid  to  lie 
in  wickednefs,  and  to  be  fuch  as  for  which  Jefus 
would  not  pray,  John  xvii."  W.  p.  56.  He  fur- 
ther argued  that  fowing  of  the  feed  in  four  forts  of 
ground  by  Chrift's  meflengers,  he  called  the  king- 
dom of  heaven,  which  four  forts  cannot  be  fuppofed 
to  be  of  the  church.  Mr.  Cotton  anfwcrs,  i,that 
Chrift  preached  himfelf  to  thofe  four  forts  of  hear- 
ers, yet  he  was  the  minifter  of  circumcifion,  and 
fcldom  preached  to  any  but  members  of  the  church 
cf  Ifrael.  C.  p.  44.  Reply,  "  when  they  grew 
incurable,  and  received  not  the  admonitions  cf  the 
Lord,  by  the  Lord  Jefus  and  his  fervants  preach- 
ing unto  them,  the  Lord  caft  them  out  of  his  fight, 
deftroycd  that  national  churchy  and  eftabliftied  ths 
Chrijiian  church**     W.  p.  57. 

But  Cotton  fays,  "  2,  it  is  an  error  to  fay,  the 
church  confiftcth  ©f  no  more  forts  of  hearers  but 
one,  the  hpneft  and  good  ground  -,  for  if  the  chil- 
dren of  church-members  be  in  the  church,  and  of 
the  church,  till  they  give  occafion  of  rejedion,  then 
*  they  growing' up  to  years,  become  fomc  of  them 
like  the  highway-fide,  others  like  the  ftony,  others 
like  the  thorny,  as  well  as  others  like  the  honett 
and  good  ground.  C.  p.  44."  Mr.  Williams  re- 
plies, 

*'  Admit  the  Chriftian  church  were  conftitutcd 
of  the  natural  feed  and  offspring  (which  yet  Mr. 
Cotton  knows  will  .never  be  granted  to  him,  and  I 
believe  will  never  be  proved  by  him)  yet  he  knows, 
that  upon  the  difcovery  of  any  fuch  portion  of  ground 
in  the  ehurch,  the  church  is  bound   to  admonifh, 

anil 


[1644.]      iM  I^EW-EN  GLAND.        i6> 

and  upon  impenitency  after  admonition,  to  caft 
thenpi  into  the  world,  the  proper  place  of  fuch 
kinds  of  hearers  and  profefTors."     W.  p.  ^y. 

Mr.  Cotton  adds,  *'  is  it  not  a  main  branch  of 
their  covenant  with  God,  that  as  God  giveth  him- 
felfto  be  a  God  to  them,  and  to  their  feed,  fo  they 
ftiould  give  up  themrelves   and  their  feed  to  be  his 
people  ?  Befides  hath  not  God  given   paftors  and 
teachers,  as  well  for  the  gathering  together  of  the 
faints,  as  for  the  edification  of  the  body  of  Chrift  ? 
And  hath  he  not  given  the  church,  and  the  gofpel 
preached  in  the  church,  to  lie  like  leaven  in  three 
pecks  of  meal  till  all  be  leavened  ?"  C.  p.  44.  Mr. 
Williams  fays,  "  1   anfwer,  the   proper  work   of 
paftors  and  teachers  is  to  feed    the   flieep  in  the 
flock,  and  not  the  herds  of  wild  beafts  in  the  world. 
And  although  it  is  the  duty  of  parents  to  bring  up 
their  children  in  the  nurture  and  fear  of  the  Lord  ; 
yet  what  if  thofe  children  refufe  to  frequent  the  af- 
fembliesof  the  church,  and  what  if  thole  three  forts 
of  ground  or   hearers  will    not  come  within  the 
bounds  of  the  paftors   and  teachers  feeding  i  hath 
not  the  Lord  Jefus  appointed  other  officers  in  Eph. 
iv.  for  the  gathering  of  the  faints,  that  is,  fending 
out  of  the  church  of  Chrift  apoftlcs  or  meflengers, 
to  preach  Chrift  to  the  three  forts  of  bad  ground,  to 
labour  to  turn  them  into  good  ground  ?  But  alas  ! 
to  falve  up  this,  the  civil  fword  is  commonly   run 
for,  \.oferce  all  forts  of  ground  to  come  to  church, 
inftead  of  fending  forth  the  heavenly  fowers  accord- 
ing to  the  ordinance  of  Chrift.'*     W.  p.  38. 

Another  argument  Mr.  Cotton  draws  from  the 
fervants  wondering  to  fee  the  tares,  which  would 
not  have  been  ftrange  in  the  highway,  C.  p.  45, 
In  reply  to  which  Mr.  "Williams  fays,  "  let  the 
highway,  ftony  and  thorny  ground,   be  confidered 

Y  t  ill 


164     HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

in  their  fevcral  qualities  of  prophanenefs,  (loutncrs, 
and  worldlinefs,  and  all  the  fons  of  men  throughout 
the  world  naturally  arc  fuch  -,  and  it  is  no  wonder, 
nor  would  the  fervants  of  Chrift  be  fo  troubled,  as 
to  dcfire their  plucking  upoutof  theworld.  Butagain 
confiderall  thefe  forts  of  men  as  profefiing  the  name 
and  anointing  of  Chrifl  Jefus,  in  afalfe,  counterfeit 
antichrifiian  way,  and  then  it  may  well  be  wonder- 
ed whence  fuch  monflrous  Chnftians  or  anointed 
ones  arole  ;  and  God's  people  may  cafiiy  be  tempt- 
ed rather  to  defrre  their  rooting  cut  of  the  world, 
than  the  rooting  out  of  any  fuch  forts  of  ground  or 
men,  profeltjng  any  ether  religion,  jcwifh,  Maho- 
metan or  Pagan. — A  traitor  is  worfe  than  a  profef- 
fed  fox."      W.  p.  58,  S9' 

Again,  while  Mr.  Cotton  pleaded  for  the  exer- 
tions of  the  civil  power  againll  heretics  and  anti- 
chrillians,  he  fays,  "no  ordinance  or  law  of  God, 
nor  juft  law  of  man,  commandeth  the  rooting  out  of 
liypocrites,  either  by  civil  or  church  cenfure,  though 
the  church  be  bound  tp  endeavour  as  much  as  in 
them  lieth  to  heal  their  hypocrify."  C.  p.  47.  To 
this  Mr.  Williams  anfwers,  "  hypocrify  difcovered 
in  the/rw//  of  it,  is  not  to  be  let  alone  in  the  church 
orftate-,  for^ndth^r  the  church  of  Chrifl  nor  civil 
flate  can  long  continue  fafe,  if  hypocrites  or  trai- 
tors (under  what  pretence  foever)  be  ptrniittcd  to 
break  for  lb  in  bliem,  without  due  puniihment  and 
rooting  out ;  this  hypocrify  being  efpecially  the 
great  (in  againll  which  Chrifl  fo  frequently  and  fo 
vehemently  inveighed,  and  againfl:  which  he  de- 
nounced the  foreft  plagues  and  judgments."  W. 
p.  62.  He  then  proceeded  to  plead,  that  the  civil 
ftate  fhould  only  punifh  civil  offences.  Upon  which 
Mr.  Cotton  aflcs,  "what  if  their  worfhip  and  con- 
fcienccs  incite  them  to  civil  offences  V*     C.  p.  ^o. 

Mr. 


[1644]       I^^  NEW-ENGLAND.     1S5 

Mr.  Williams  fays,  "  I  anrwer,  the  confcicnce  of 
the  civil  magiftrate  muft  incite  him  to  civil  punifli- 
ment  -,  as  a  Lord  Mayor  of  London  once  anfwercd 
that  he  was   born  to  be  a  judge,  to  a  thief  that 
pleaded  he  was  born  to  be  a   thief.     If  the  con- 
Icience  of  the  worfhippers  of  the  beaft  incite  them  to 
prejudice  prince  or  Oatc,  although  thefe  confcicnces 
be  net  as  the  confcience  of  the  thief,  commonly  con- 
vinced of  the  evil  of  his  fadl,  but  pcrfuadcd  of  the 
lawfulnefs  of  their  aftions ;  yet  fo  far   as   the  civil 
Itate  is  endamaged  or  endangered,  I  fay  the  fword  of 
God  in  the  hand  of  civil  authority  is  ftrong  enough 
to  defend  itfelf,  either  by  imprifoning  or  difarming, 
or  other  wholefome  means,  while   yet  their  con- 
fcicnces ought  to  be  permitted  in  what  is   merely 
point  of  worfhip,  as  prayer  and  other  fervices  and 
adminifVrations.     Againft  any  civil  mifchief  the  ci- 
vil (late  is  ftrongly  gaarded.     Againft  the  fpiritual 
mifchief,   the  church  or  city  of  Chrift  is   guarded 
with  heavenly  armies,  wherein  there  hang  a  thou- 
fand  bucklers,  and  moft   mighty  weapons.     Cant, 
iv.  2  Cor.  X."    W.  p.  66,  67.  But  as  he  ftill  plead- 
ed that  the   civil  fword  was   never  appointed   by 
Chrift  for  an  antidote  or  remedy  in  fpiritual  evils 
and  dangers  •,  Mr.  Cotton  denies  it,  and  fays,  "  it  is 
evident  the  civil  fword  was  appointed  for  remedy  in 
this  cafe,  Deut.   xiii.     and   appointed  it   was    by 
that  angel  of  God's  prefence,  whom  God  promifed 
to  fend  with  his  people.    Exod.  xxxiii.  2,  3.     And 
that  angel  was  Chrift,  whom  they  tempted  in    the 
wilderncfs.      i  Cor.  x.  9.     Therefore  it  cannot  tru- 
ly be  faid,  that  the  Lord  Jefus  never  appointed  the 
civil  fword  for  a  remedy  in  fuch  a  cafe  :  Fct  he  did 
exprcfly  appoint   it  in  the  old  tcftament;  nor  did 
he  ever  abrogate  it  in  the  new.     The   reafon  of  the 
J^w  (which  is  the  life  of  the  law)  is  of  eternal  force 

and 


i66     HISTORY  or  the  BAPTISTS 

and  equity  in  all  ages.     Thou  Jh»lt  furely   kill  him, 
hecau/e  he  hath  fought  to  thruji  thee  away  from   the 
Lord  thy  God',  this  reafon  js  moral,  that  is,  of  uni* 
vcrfal  and  perpetual   equity  to  put   to   death  any 
apotlate  reducing  idolator,  or  heretic  §."  C.  p.  66,  6^. 
In  reply  Mr.  Williams  fays,  "  how  grievous  is 
this  language  of  mafter  Cotton  !    Mofes  in  the  old 
teftament  was  Chrift's  fcrvant,  yet  being  but  a  fer- 
vant,  difpenfed  his  power  by  carnal  rites  and  cere- 
monies, laws,  rewards  and  punifhments,  in  that  hoi/ 
nation^  and  that  one  land  of  Canaan.     But  when  Je- 
fus  the  Son  and  Lord  himfelf  was  come,  to  bring 
the  truth,  life  and  fubftance,  of  all  thofe  fhadows  \ 
to  break  down  the  partition-wail  between  Jew  and 
Gentile,  and  eftablilh  the   Chriftian  worfhip   and 
kingdom  in  all  nations  of  the  world,  m.after  Cotton 
will  never  prove,  from  any  of  the  books  and  infti- 
tutions  of  the  new  teftament,  that  unto  thofe  fpiri- 
tual  remedies  appointed  by  Chrift  againft  fpritual 
maladies,  he  added  the  help  of  the  carnal  fword. 
If  it  appear,  as  evidently  it  doth,  that  Jefus,  the 
antitype  of  the  kings  of  Ifrael,  wears  his  (word  in 
his  mouth,  being  a  (harp  and  two-edged  fword,  then 
the  anfwer  is  as  clear  as  the  fun,  that  fcatters  the" 
clouds  and  darknefs  of  the  night.     Befides,  mafter 
Cotton  needs  not  fly  to  the  pofe*s  argument  for  chil- 
dren baptifm^  to  wit,  to  fay  Chrift  never  abrogated 
Deut.  xiii.  therefore,  &c  for  Mr.  Cotton  knows  the 
profeftion  of  the  Lord  Jefus,  John  xviii.  that  his 
kingdom  was  not  earthly^  and  therefore  his  fword 
cannot  be  earthly.     Mr.  Cotton  knows  that  Jefus 
commanded   a  fword  to  be  put  up,  when  it  was 
drawn  in  the  caufc  of  Chrift,  and  added  a  dreadful 

threatning, 

§  Does  not  this  and  fuch  like  fcntcnces  make  tke  tenet  ta 

appear  yet  more  hloody  ! 


['6+*.]       w   NEW-ENGLAND.      167 
threatning,  that  all  that  take  the  fworH  r,h„  ■    .u 
carnal  f„ord  in  h,s  caufej  ftall  pMy^^  '^%', 

waXtrbteTLTJltrcht  th"'^-- T''^-' 
ftrate-s  work  was  confinedtlh    Iceptrof  trf 
condtable;  his  main  argument   thSr  waV   th  t" 
Rom  xui.  fpeaks  t!>e  moft  fully  of  that  n.hf  J  „f- 
any  place  i«  the  ne^  teftament/and  there  ttdfr 
courle  ,s  confined  to  the  duties  includlr!  in   / 
-  »..X^..«.      Mr.  Cotton  g"ntri  s  premi/^b  : 
not  his  conclufion,  and  favs    "  thnnilTk    k 
to  magiftrates,  and  love  to  all' men    h^^        ■''?'°P 

horted  to  honor  their  minifter.  InJ  ,  ."J  ""' 
He  exhorted  to  honor  thnr„l,,r  fir  ".  """^ 
f»llow,-  that  therefore  m inffters  "h  .elth"'"^ 
with  matters  of  religion  in  he  th,,?  '"^  '°  '''' 
the  family  ?"  C.  p  f  6  '  °'  P"'"''  '« 

yieM  ob!^lenrL""'"ri'-  "  '^P'^P^^'^^^  bound  to 
Lte    rsr  1^?  "''  '^"8'  '°  <='""  "fficers  of  the 

"ate,  thnhians  are  much  more  bound  to  vielH  „K. 

preferverstd  refor,^,t;  oTthTcht ""^^"'"■'' 
;->  flate.  Which  d,ffera3°Lth^;;'«'retr'  ; 
^':be?.^W:rH7,5'^--hoftheea'r;hi;, 

notfoi;-  of°noTptIni;::r"'  ''/""Sh  his  book,  to  his 

rcicnce,but-!:;r.tr^-^-Si:^-r:cr 


fcienccs 


i58      HtSTORToF  the  BAPTISTS 

fciences  after  conviSiion.  One  great  article  of  Mi". 
Williams's  fentence  of  banilhment  was,  his  writing 
letters  againft  the  rulers  and  churches  before  any 
convi^ion.  And  Mr.  Cotton  fays  of  miniiters 
and  ch4jrches,  "  none  of  us  had  any  further 
influence,  than  by  private  and  public  conv'Mit7i 
ot  himfelf,  and  of  the  demerit  of  his  way."  C.  2d 
part,  p.  12.  And  when  one  of  the  magillrates  was 
going  to  the  court  that  banilhcd  Mr.  Williams,  and 
afked  Mr.  Cotton  what  he  thought  of  it .''  his  anfwcr 
was,  **  I  pity  the  man,  and  have  interceded  for 
him,  whilft  there  was  any  hope  of  doing  good  i 
but  now  he  having  refufed  to  hear  both  his  own 
church  and  us,  and  having  rejected  us  all,  as  no 
churches  of  Chrtfl:,  before  any  cenvi^fion^  we  have 
now  no  more  to  fay  in  his  behalf,  nor  hope  to  pre- 
vail for  him.'*  C.  p.  39. 

This  notion  of  not  punilhing  any  in  matters  of 
religion,  till  they  had  firft  convinced  their  con- 
fciences,  runs  through  Mr.  Cotton's  whole  book,  as 
thofe  who  have  it  may  fee  in  the  quotations  below  j] ; 
,and  he  tries  to  fupport  it  by  Tit.  iii.  1 1,  which  re- 
fers entirely  to  ecclefiaftical,  and  not  to  civil  govern- 
ment •,  and  there  not  to  every  error,  but  only  to 
grofs  herefy,  which  was  to  be  judged  of  by  thofe 
who  were  well  acquainted  with  Ipiritual  things. 
But,  faid  Mr.  Williams, 

"  Every  lawful  magiftrate,  whether  fuccecding 
or  cledcd,  is  not  only  the  minifter  of  God,  but  the 
miniftcr  or  fervant  of  the  people  alfo  (what  people 
or  nation  foever  they  be,  all  the  world  over)  and  that 
minifter  or  magiftratc  goes  beyond  his  commiflion, 
■who  intermeddles  with  that  which  cannot  be  givca 
him  in  commiiTion  from  the  people,  unlefs  mafter 

Cotton 

It  Page  3,  26,  189;  fecondparr,  p.  12,  17,  32,  37—39. 


[i644.1      IN  NEW-ENGLAND.        1^9 

Cotton  can  prove  that  all  the  people  and  inhabitants 
of  all  nations  in  the  world  have  Jpritual  power^ 
Chrift's  power,  naturally,  fLindainentaly  and  ori- 
ginally rcfiding  in  them,  to  rule  Chrill*s  rp:)ufe  the 
church,  and  to  give  fpiritual  power  to  their  officers 
to  excrGife  their  fpiritual  liws  and  commarrds-j- j 
otherwife  it  is  but  profaning  the  holy  name  of  the 
Moft  High.  It  is  but  Mattering  of  magifirates,  it  is 
but  the  accurfed  trufting  to  an  ^r;;2  of flefi^  toper- 
fuade  rulers  of  the  earth  that  they  are  Kings  of  the 
\{x2,z\  or  church  of  Cody  who  wrere  in  their  infbitu- 
tions  and  government  immediaiely  from  Gcd^  the 
rulers  of  his  holy  chuch  and  people.  Nor  a  few  of 
his  oppofires  will  fay,  and  that  aloud,  that  he  and 
they  v/cre  or  might  have  been  convinced^  whatever 
he  or  they  themfelves  thought.  The  truth  is,  the 
carnal  fword  is  commonly  the  judge  of  the  conviflioa 
or  obftinacy  of  all  fuppofed  heretics*.  Hence  the 
faithful  winelfes  of  Chrift,  Cranmer,  Ridley,  Lati-?. 
mer,  had  not  a  word  to  fay  in  che  difputations  ac 
Oxford  :  Hence  the  Nonconformifts  were  cried  ouc 
as  obftinate  men,  abundantly  convinced  by  the  writ- 
ings of  Whitgifc  and  others-,  and  f>  in  the  confer- 
ence before  King  James  at  Hampton  Court."  W. 
p.  96,  192. 

Z  Mr. 

+  Thofe  who  are  called  Lords  fpirtual  in  England  have  no 
power,  fincS  the  pope  excommuuicated  them,  bat  what  they 
derive  from  the  ci-vii  Jiat'. 

*  Dr.  Ov^en  wrote  a  piece  upon  toleration  foon  after  Mr. 
Cotton's  book  waspubliihed  in  London,  and  upon  this  point  he 
fays,  "  he  chat  holds  the  truth  may  be  confuted,  but  a  man 
cannot  be  convinced  but  by  the  truth.  That  a  man  fliould  be 
faid  to  be  convinced  of  a  trurh,  and  yet  that  truth  not  fhine  ia 
upon  his  underltanding,  to  the  expeilin?  of  the  contrary  error, 
to  me  is  ftrange.  To  be  convinced  is  to  be  overpowered  by  the 
^evidence  of  that,  which  before  a  man  kne^v  not.  I  once 
ksew  a  fcholar  iavited  to  a  difpuce  with  aboiher  man,   about 

foaieJhing 


a>o     HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

Mr.  Williams  in  difcLifTing  his  opponent's  argu- 
ments obferved,  that  his  opponent  had  taken  many 
charges  and  exhortations  which  Chrift  gave  to  his 
.minillers,  and  direded  them  to  the  civil  magiftrate. 
But  Mr.  Cotton  fays,  "  the  falihood  of  the  difcuf- 
for  in  this  charge  is  palpable  and  notorious."  Yet 
fifty  pages  forward  in  the  fame  dikourfe  Mr.  Cot- 
toh  fays,  '*  the  good  that  is  brought  to  Princes  and 
iubje<5ls  by  the  due  puniilimentof  aportate  feJucers, 
idolaters  and  blafphemers,  is  manifold.  Firft,  it 
putteth  away  evil  from  the  people,  and  cutteth  off 
a  gangrene,  which  v\ould  fpread  to  further  ungod- 
linefs.  Deut.  xiii.  5,  2  Tim.  ii.  16,  17,  18. 
Secondly,  it  driveth  away  wolves  from  worrying 
and  fcattering  the  flieep  of  Chrilt.  Falfe  teachers 
be  wolves.  Matt.  vi.  15,  -Ad.  xx.  29."  C.  p. 
^'8,  13?.  This  is  a  clear  proof  that  great  men  can- 
not go  itrait  in  a  crooked  path. 

Mr.  Williams  had  argued  that  Mr.  Cotton's  doc- 
trine tended  to  the  fecting  up  of  a  Spanifh  inquifi- 
tion  in  all  parts  of  the  world,  and  to  fruftrate  the 
great  defiga  of  our  Saviour's  coming.  He  denies 
ir,'and  accufes  Mr.  WUliams  of  rather  promoting 

the 

fomething  in  controverfy  in  religion  ;  in   his  owfi,  and  In   the 
Judginenc  of  all  the  by-il:ai-ider§,  the  oppofing-  pcrfon  was  utterly 
confuted :     And    yet   the  fcholar,  within   a  few   months,    was 
t<aught  of  God,    and  clearly  convinced,    that   it   was  an  error 
which  he  had  maintained,  and  the  truth  which  he  cppofed  ;  and' 
then,  and  not  till  then,  did  he  ceafe  to  wonder,   that  the  other 
perfon  was  not  convinced  by  his  ftrong  arguments,  as  before  he 
had  though-t.     To  fay  a  man  is  convinced,  when  either  for  waiit 
of  fltill  and  ability,  or  the  like,  he  cannot  maintain  his  opiHien 
.  againft  all  men,  is  a  meer  conceit. — That  thev  are  obftinate  and 
pertinacious  is  a  chenp  fuppofal,  taken  up  without  the  price  of 
a  proof.     As  the  conviAion  is  impofed,  uGt  owned,  fo  is   this 
obitinacy  ;  if  we  may  be  judges  of  other  men's  obllinacy,  all  will 
be  plain  ;  but  if  ever  they  get  uppermoft,   thev  will  be  judges  of 
.  ©ars.'*         Colltiiioa  ofOnAKn'tJermom  and  trails ^  1721,  p.  312. 


[1644]      JN    Nfi W.ENGLAND.      171- 

the  principal  end  of  the  Spanifh  inquifition,  **  by- 
proclaiming  impunity  to  all  their  uhorifh  and 
wolvifh  emifTaries.  Noris  ir,  fays  he,  a  frullrating 
of  thcfweet  end  of  Chriit's  comino^,  which  was  to 
fiive  fouls,  but  rather  a  diredt  advancing  of  ir,  to 
deftroy,  if  need  be,  the  bodies  of  thofe  wolves,  who 
feek  to  deftroy  the  louls  of  thofe  for  wiiom  Chriifc 
died.'*     C.  p.  g^. 

Mr.  Williams  replies,  "  I  cannot  without  great 
horror  obferve,  what  is  this  but  to  give  a  woful 
occafion,  at  leall  to  all  civil  powers  in  the  world,  to 
perfecute  Lhrifl:  in  his  poor  faints  and  fervants  ? 
Yea,  if  matter  Cotton  and  his  friends  of  his  con- 
fcience  fliould  be  caft  by  God's  providence  (whole 
"wheels  turn  about  in  the  depth  of  his  councils  won- 
derfully) I  fay  fhould  they  be  cafi:  under  the  reach 
of  oppo (lie /words,  will  they  not  produce  mafter 
Cotton's  own  bloody  tenet  and  do(5lrine  to  warrant 
them  (according  to  their  confciences)  to  deal  with 
him  as  a  wolf,  an  idolater,  an  heretic,  and  as  dan- 
gerous an  emifTary  and  feducer  as  any  whom  mafter 
,  Cotton  fo  accufeth  ?  Mafter  Cotton  hath  no  reafon 
to  charge  the  difcufler  with  indulgence  or  partiality 
to'svard  Romilh  and  wolvifh  emiilaries ;  his  judg- 
ment and  practice  is  known  fo  far  difterei^t,  that 
for  departing  too  far  from  them  (as  is  pretended) 
he  fufFers  the  brands  and  bears  the  marks  of  one  of 
Chrirt's  poor  perfecurcd  heretics  to  this  day  +.  All 
that  he  pleaded  for,  is  an  impartial  liberty  to  their 
confciences  in  worfhipping  Gcd,  as  wdl  as  con- 
fciences and  worfiiips  of  other  their  fellow  iub- 
jeas.'*     W.  p.  141,  142. 

Z  2  This 

f  One  of  the  two  points  that  the  MafTachufetts  began  tli£ir 
contention  with  him  upon,  was  his  refufi.^g  lo  countenance  the 
fellowlhip  they  had  with  popifti  corruptions  in  the  church  of 
Snglaud. 


172      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

rThis  book- Mr.  Williams  dedicated  to  the  rulers 
of  Ni^w-hngiand,  wherein,  after  fcveral    ufcfvil  re- 
marks, h^-.f^ys,  *Mhere  is  one  commodity   for  the 
f^ke  of  whivh  moll  of  God*s  children  in  New-Eng- 
land have  run.  mi^h:y  hazards ;  a  commodity  mar- 
*^;X*^'lQ^.iQy  Icarce  in  foriiier  tim^Sj,inour  native  coun- 
"  try  :  li:  vvhe  Iti^eriy  of  fearcbing  after  God's  mofi  hofy 
fnind  cnd-'pkafure,     Ot  this  molt  precious  and  inva- 
luable jewel  if  you    fuffer  Satan  to  bereave  you, 
and  that  it  (hail  be  a  crime  humbly  and  pafllbly  to 
queii.ion-'even  laws  diixAflatutes^  or  whatever  is  even 
publicly  taught  and  delivered,  you  will  find  your- 
lejvts  after  all  your  long  run  (like  that  little  French* 
tnan  who  killed  the  Duke  of  Guife,  and  was  taken 
next  morning  near  the  place  from  whence  he  had  fled 
vp 'n  a  fwift  horfe  a'l  n  ght)  I  fay  you  will  mod  cer- 
tainly find  vourff  Ives  but  where  you  were,  enJlAved 
gnd  captivated  in  the  chains  of  thofc  popiih  dark* 
nelfes,  viz.  ignorance  is  the   mother  of  devorion, 
and  we  mult  believe  as  the  church  believes,  &c.— » 
O  remember  that  your  g^fts  are  rare,  your  profef- 
fions  of  religion  rare,  your  perfecutions  and  h  dirgs 
from  the  ftorms    abroad   rare  and  wondtrful  *  !  So 
in  proportion    your  tran^grelfions  and  public    fins 
cannot  but  be  of  a  rare  and  extraordinary   guilt.—-. 
Amongft  che  crying  fins  of  our  own  or  other  fipiful 
nations,  thofe  two  are  ever  among  the  Icudeft,  viz, 
invented  devotions  to  the  God  of  heaven.  2dly,  Violence 
end  ofpr'ffion  (n  the  fons  of  men,  efpecially  of  his 
fons,  for  difftnting.     That  the  impartial  and  dread- 
ful hand  of  the  mofl  holy  zndjcalcus  Gcd^  a  ccnfmn- 
ingfire^  tear  and  burn  rot  up  at  laft  the  roots  of 
thole   plantations,    but  graciouOy   difcerning    the 

plants 

•  Perfeeutjon  drove  them  into  this  land,  where  tlicy  were  hid 
froiH  the -bloody  ftorw  of  inteftme  wars  in  England. 


[1645]       IN    NEW-ENGLAN0.      i>5 

pUnts  which  are  not  his,  he  may  gracioufly  fandify. 
and  canfe  to  flourifh  what  his  right  hand  will  own, 
this  is  the  humble  and  unfeigned  dcfire  and  cry 
5t  the  throne  of  grace^  of  your  lo  long  delpifed  out- 
cafl,  Roger  Williams."  W.  dedication,  p.  26,  27. 

Thus  I  have  laid  before  the  reader  fomc  of  the 
moft  material  points  of  that  controverfy  in  their  own 
words,  that  he  may  fee  what  thofc  principles  were 
which  New-England  writers  have  often  reproached, 
underthename  of  rigid  feparation  and  Anabaptifm -, 
and  alfo  how  the  ruling  party,  with  all  their  boaft  of 
orthodoxy,  could  confound  Jewifli  types  with  Chrift's 
injlittitions^  in  order  to  keep  up  Psedobaptifm,  and 
tlie  ufe  of  fecular  force  in  religious  affairs ;  and 
could y?/>^r^/(?  from  the  common  rights  of  humani- 
ty good  Chriftians,  and  fome  of  their  own  bcft 
friends,  only  for  teftifying  againfl  fuch  cchfufion! 

"  At  a  General  Court,  March,  1645,  two  peti- 
tions were  preferred,  one  for  fufpending  (if  not 
abolifhing)  a  law  made  againft  Anabaptifts  the  for- 
pieryear ;  the  other  was  for  eafing  a  law  of  like  na- 
ture made  in  Mrs.  Hutchinlbn's  time,  forbidding  the 
entertaining  of  "any  ftrangers,  without  licence  of 
two  magiitrates ;  which  was  not  eadly  obtained  in 
thofedays.  Some  at  this  time  were  much  afraid  of 
the  increafe  of  Anabaptifm.  This  was  the  reafon 
why  the  greater  part  prevailed  for  the  ftridl  obfer- 
vation  of  the  aforefaid  laws,  although  paradventure 
a  little  moderation  as  to  fome  cafes  might  have  done 
very  well,  if  not  betcer.  Many  books  coming  out 
of  England  in  the  year  1645,  fome  in  defence  of 
Anabaptifm  and  other  errors,  and  for  liberty  of  con- 
fcicnce,  as  a  flielter  for  a  general  toleration  of  all 
opinions,  &c.  others  in  maintenance  of  Prefbyte- 
rian  government  (agreed  upon  by  the  aflembly  of 
divines  at  Weftminfter)  againft  the  Congregational 

way 


174      HISTORY  of  the  BAPTISTS 

vray  which  was  pradifed  in  New- England  ;  the  mi- 
niftcrs  of  the  fhurches  through  all  the  United  Colo- 
nies agreed  upon  a  meeting  at  Cambridge,  where 
they  conferred  their  councils,  and  examined  the  writ- 
ings which  fome  of  them  had  prepared,  in  anfwer  to 
the  faid  books;  which  being  agreed  upon  and  per- 
fecled,werc  fentover  into  England  to  be  printed,  viz. 
Mr.  Hooker's  Survey,  in  anfwer  to  Mr.  Rutherford  ^ 
Mr.  Mather,  Mr.  Alien  and  Mr.  Shepard,  about 
the  fame  fubjed*,'*  &c. 

Our  friends  in  London,  hearing  of  the  law  made 
at  Bofton  laft  year  to  banifti  Baptifts,  and  the  learn- 
ed Mr.  John  Tombes  having  written  an  examina- 
tion of  Mr.  Stephen  Marflial's  fermon  upon  infant 
baptifm,  dedicated  to  the  Weftminiler  ajffembly, 
Mr.  Tombes  was  moved  to  fend  a  copy  of  his  exa- 
mination to  the  rriiniftcrs  of  New-England,  and 
wrote  an  epiftle  with  it  to  them,  dated  from  the 
Temple  in  London,  May  25,  1645  i  hoping  there- 
by to  put  them  upon  a  mere  exact  ftudy  of  that 
controverfy,  and  to  allay  their  vehemency  againft 
the  Baptifts  §.  But  the  Weftminfter  aflembly  were 
more  ready  to  learn  feverity  from  this  country,  than 
thefe  were  to  learn  lenity  from  any  ;  for  the  Inde- 
pendents on  December  4,  1645,  prcfented  a  requcft 
to  that  Prefbyterian  afiembly,  **  that  they  might  not 
*'  be  forced  to  communicate  as  members  in  thofe 
"  parifhes  where  they  dwell ;  but  may  have  liberty 
*'  to  have  congregations  of  fuch  perlons  who  give 
*'  good  tellimonies  of  their  godlinefs,  and  yet  out 
"  of  tendernefs  of  confcience  cannot  conmuinicatc 
"  in  their  parifhes  "  but  the  aflembly  returned  a 
flat  denial,  and  faid,  "  this  opened  a  gap  fcr  ?L\\fe^s 

•  Hubbard. 

§  Crofby^s  hiflory,  vol.  i,  p.  |2i,   122. 


[1645.]       IN    NEW- EN  GLAND.      ly^ 

*'  to  challenge  fuch  a  liberty  as  their  due  -,  and  that 
*'  this  libetcy  was  denied  by  the  churches  of  New* 
*'  England,  and  we  have  as  juft  ground  to  deny  it  as' 
"  they  l|." 

Sir  Henry  Vane  alfo,  when  his  interefl:  in  Parlia* 
ment  was  very  great,  wrote  to  Governor  Winchrop 
in  the  following  terois. 
Honored  Sir, 

**  I  received  yours  by  your  Ton,  and  v/as  unwilling 
to  let  him  return  without  telling  you  as  muchi 
The  exerciie  and  troubles  which  Qod  is  plcafed  to 
lay  upon  thefe  kingdoms,  and  the  inhabitant?  in 
them,  teaches  us  patience  and  forbearance  one  with 
another  in  fome  meafure,  though  there  be  difference 
in  our  opinions,  which  makes  me  hope  that,  from  the 
experience  here,  it  may  alfo  be  derived  to  youi  felves, 
left  while  the  Congregational  way  amongit  you  is  in 
its  freedom  and  is  backed  with  power,  in  teach  its 
oppugners  here  to  extirpate  it  and  root  it  out,  from 
its  own  principles  and  practice.  *  I  fliall  need  fay  no 
more,  knov/ing'your  fon  can  acquaint  you  particu- 
larly with  our  affairs.  Sir,  I  am  your  affcftionace 
friend,  and  fervant  in  Chrift,  II.  Van£*." 

yu?:e  10,   1645. 

Had  not  the  notion  of  fecuring  religion  to  their 
pofterity,  by  infant  baptifm  a.nd  the  magiilrates 
power,  ftrongly  prepofTeired  their  minds,  how  coirld 
they  have  refifted  all  thefe  motives  to  lenity  as  they 
did  ?  That  they  were  under  a  very  Itrong  bias  may 
be  feen  in  three  pieces  which  were  wrote  this  year 
againft  the  Baptifts.  One  of  them  was  by  Mr.  Cot- 
ton, who  was  fo  much  afraid  of  having  both 
fides  of  the  argument  examined,  that  he  gives 
us  fieither  the  names  of  the  authors  he  wrote  againft 

nor 

II  Crofl^y's  hiftory,  vol.  j,  p.  185,    186. 
•  Mftirachufctts  Hillory,  vol.  3,  p.  137, 


i;5     HISTORY  of  the  fiAPTlSTS 

nor  the  titles  of  their  works  *,  only  he  owns  them  to 
befuch  as  did  not  "  deny  magiftrates.  norppcdefti- 
nation,  nor  original  fin  ;  nor  maintain  free  will 
in  convcrfion,  nor  apolUcy  from  grace;  buc 
only  deny  the  lawful  ule  of  baptifm  of  children, 
bccaufe  it  wantcth  a  word  of  commandment  and 
example  from  the  fcripture."  And  he  fays,  '*  I 
am  bound  in  Chriftian  love  to  believe,  that  they 
who  yield  fo  far,  do  it  out  of  confcicnce,  as  fol- 
lowing herein  the  example  of  the  apoflle,  who 
profefled  hlmfelf,  and  his  followers,  we  can  do  no- 
'  thing  againjl  the  truth,  but  for  the  truth.  But  yet 
'  I  believe  withal,  that  it  is  not  out  of  love  to  the 
'  truth  that  Satan  yielded  fo  much  to  the  truth,  but 
'  rather  out  of  another  ground,  and  for  a  worfe 
'  end.  He  knoweth  the  times  that  how,  by  the  good 
'  and  ftrong  hand  of  God,  they  are  fet  upon  puri- 
'  ty  and  reformation.  And  now  to  plead  againft 
'  the  baptil-m  of  children  upon  any  of  thofe  Armi- 
'  nian  and  poplfli  grounds,  which  be  fo  grofly  un- 
'^  gracious  as  thofe  above  named,  iiaran  knoweth 
'  and  feeth  they  would  utterly  be  rejeded  J.  He 
'  choofeth  therefore  rather  to  play  imall  game,  as 
»  they  fay,  than  tolofeall.  He  now  pleadeth  no  other 
'  argument  in  thefe  ftirring  times  of  reformation 
'  than  may  be  urged  from  a  main  principle  of  pu- 
'  rity  and  reformation,  viz.  that  no  duty  of  God's 
'  worpif,  nor  any  ordinance  of  religion^  is  to  he  aami- 
'  niftcrcd  in  the  church,  but  fuch  as  hath  juji  'ujarrant 
'  from  the  word  of  Gcd.  And  by  urging  this  argu- 
'  ment  againfl;  the  baptifm  of  children,  Satan  tranf- 
*  formeth  himfelf  into  an  angel  of  light;  and  the 
'  fpifit  of  error  and  frofanenefs  into  a  minifter  of 
'  truth  and  righteoufnefs.     And   fo   he  hopeth  to 

"  prevail 

J  Here  is  an  acknowledgment,  that  the  Baptiftsof  that  da^ 
did  aot  hold  the  errors  charged  upoa  them  ia  the  aforesaid  law. 


li^4$'i       i^    NEW-ENGLAND.      lyf 

*'  prevail,  either  With  thofe  men  who  do  believ^ 
*'  the  lawful  and  holy  ufe  of  children's  bapiilm  to 
*'  renounce  that  principle,  and  fo  to  renounce  alfo 
*'  all  reformation  brought  in  by  it:  Or  elfe,  if  ihey 
"  (tick  to  that  principle,  then  to  renounce  the  bap- 
"  tifmof  children-,  and  fb  the  reformation  begum 
*'  will  neither  fpread  far,  nor  continue  long.  For 
"  if  godly  parents  do' withdraw  their  children  |rotn 
"  the  covenant,  and  from  the  feal  of  the  covenant, 
"  they  do  make  void  (as  much  as  in  them  lieth)  the 
"  covenant  both  to  ihemfclves,  and  to  their  children  ; 
"  and  then  will  the  Lord  cut  ofFfuch  fouls  from  his 
*'  people,  Gen.  xvii.  14.  And  fo  the  reformation, 
*'  begun  with  a  bleffing,  will  end  in  a  curfe,  and 
**  in  a  cutting  feparation  either  of  parents  or  of  chil- 
*'  dren,  or  both,  from  the  Lord  and  his  people  §." 

About  the  fame  time  a  miniiler  at  Lynn  wrote  a 
volume  againft  various  Baptift  authors  •,  bUt  before 
he  came  to  any  of  their  arguments  he  laid,  *'  ever 
*'  fince*that  word  of  old,  /  will  put  enmity  betwixt 
*'  thee  and  the  woman^  atid  betwixt  thy  feed  nnd  her 
'*  feed,  Satan  hath  had  a  fpecial  fpite  at  the  ktd 
"  of  the  church  :  Witnefs  that  a6c  of  Cain,  who 
**  was  therein  of  that  evil  one,  in  killing  his  brodier 
"  Abel :  Whence  alfo  that  prcjed  of  Satan,  all  the 
*'  ways  that  may  be,  to  lay  foundations  of  corrUpt- 
*'  ing,  and  in  time  ruining  the  feed  of  the  church 
*'  by  unequal  marriages,  &c.  G'^n.  vi.  i^  2,  ?>Jeh. 
"  xiii.  23,  24.  Whence  alfo  that  ad.  of  his,  in 
**  ftirring  up  his  inftruments  to  derids  little  Ifaac. 
*'  Whence  alfo  that  faranical  pratltice  of  feeking  to 
*'  cut  them  off  by  Pharoah,  Exod.  i.  by  Edomitcs, 
*'*  Ffalm  cxxxvii.  by  Babylonians,  Jer.  \t.  Syv\* 
"  ans,  Dan.  viii.  Herod^  Matt.  ii.  &c.  or  if  they 
A  a  "  bi 

§  Cotton's  Grounds  and  Endsof  Cliildren's  Iiapurni>  printed 
«H7>  P-  3.4-  '  V 


178     HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

*"  be  not  cut  off  in  fuch  fort,  yet  to  ftir  up  perfor>s 
*'  under  pretence  of  religion,  to  devote  them  unto 
"  the  very  devil,  Jer.  vii.  31,  &c.  Ezek.  xvi, 
"  20,  &c.  or  if  they  live,  yet  to  perfuadc  to 
*'  their  detainment  under  an  Egyptian  ejiate^  and 
"  exdufion  from  any  church  care  or  privilege.-— 
"  Who  fecth  not  how  Satan  doth  feck  by  fuch 
"  fuggeftions  to  undermine  the  fuccefFion  of  the 
"*  true  religion,  and  of  true  vifible  churches, 
'*  which  have  ufed  to  be  continued  in  and  by  the 
"  church  feed  ?  And  what  is  Satan's  fetch,  to  bring 
*'  this  about,  but  the  old  trick,  to  create  (as  I  may 
'*  fay)  fcruples  in  the  hearts  of  God's  people, 
"  knowing  well  that  it  is  a  taking  wile  firft  to  be- 
•*  mift  through  fuch  legerdemain  the  eyes  of  the 
*'  mind,  and  then  to  fpoil  tiiem  of  truth.  It  took 
'•^  with  our  grandmother  Eve,  and  was  the  inlet  of 
•'  all  errqr  and  evil.  Hath  Gcd  faidit?  v/as  the 
*'  old  ferpentine  infinuation  to  blind  and  buzzle, 
*^'  and  fo  corrupt  firft  the  judgment  in  point  of  war- 
**  rant  of  ih;s  or  that  practice. — How  many  pre- 
"  cidus  profeffors,  to  outward  view  at  leaft,  did  at 
"  firft  entertain  fome  fcruples  about  the  external 
"  intereft  of  church  members  children  in  the  co- 
"  venant,  and  initiatory  leal  of  it,  v/hich  now  pe- 
**  remptorily  .ceoiure  the  fame  as  antichriftian  and 
*'  human  invention*.?  Let  my  advice  be  grateful  to 
"  thee  thus  far,  >.  hriftian  reader,  to  take  heed  of 
"  unneccflary  difcourfts  and  difputes  with  fatanical 
"  fuggeftions,  under' what  promifing  and  plaufible 
*'  pretences  foever  they  come, — It  is  not  the  firft  age 
"  or  time,  that  fatanical  fuggeftions,  thus  it  is  writ- 
"  ten,  and  thus  faith  the  Lord,  hatk  been  pro- 
«*  pounded  |{." 

The 

II  Mr.  Thomas  Cobbet's  FirJication  of  the  Covenant  and  Church 

E^atf  ef  Ghii^rfif  of  Ciufih  Me/rtkr/,  printed  in  Londen,  1648, 

i-  preface. 


Ii645']       i^    NEW-ENGLAND.      179 

The  c^ueftion  has  often  been  adced  in  our  day, 
what  do  you  think  of  our  good  fathers  who  held  to 
infant  baptifm  ?  How  did  they  get  along?  Here, 
you  have  an  anfwer  in  their  own  words  •,  and  the 
famous  Dr.  Thomas  Goodwin  urtiered  thel'e  per- 
formances into  the  world  with  a  recommendatory 
preface  to  each  of  them  •,  and  the  lentiments  and 
temper  of  them  have  evidently  been  handed  down 
by  tradition  ever  fince.  But  I  appeal  to  the  coh- 
fcience  of  every  reader,  whether  he  can  find  three' 
worle  things  on  earth,  in  the  management  of  contro- 
verfy,  than  firft  to  fecretly  take  the  point  difputed 
for  truth  without  any  proof ;  then  fecondly  blend- 
ing that  error  with  known  truths,  to  make  artful 
addrefles  to  the  affections  and  paflions  of  the  audi- 
ence, to  prejudice  their  mi;\ds,  before  they  hear  s, 
word  that  the  refpondent  has  to  fay.  And  thirdly, 
if  the  refpondent  rcfufes  to  yield  to  fuch  inanage- 
menr,  thea  to  call  in  the  fecular  arm  to  compleac 
the  argument.  And  were  not  thefe  the  methods  that 
were  then  taken  to  fupport  Pxdobaptifm  .^  The 
Proteftants  way  of  defending  their  caufe  agavnft  the 
Papifts  was,  *'  if  that  ye  will  prove  that  your  ce-^ 
**  remonies  proceed  from  faith,  and  do  pleafe  God, 
"  ye  mud  prove  that  God  in  exprefs  v/ords  hath. 
*'  commanded  them,  or  elfe  fhall  yoQ  never  prove 
*'  that  they  proceed  from  faith,  nor  yet  that  the^ 
'*  pleale  God*."  But  when  this  argument  was 
urged  againft  infant  baptifm.  Cotton  without  any. 
proof  afTerrs  that  "  Satan  transformedi  himfelf  into 
**  an  angel  of  light."  And  the  whole  of  the  above 
recited  addrefifes  to  men  and  women's  paffions,  are 
evidently  founded  upon  the  fuppofitionj  that  infant 

A  a  2  baptifm 

preface,  p.  7— g.  Mr,  Tombs  fays  Mr.  Cotton  wrcte  to  him,  that 
the  piece  he  fent  them  was  delivered  to  Mr.  Cobbetto  ailfwsc. 
.•  linox's  Hiftoryof  che  Rsformation,  p.  104. 


;8o     HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

baprifm  is  as  ii  faliibly  required  by  God,  as  ab- 
l^aming  from  the  forbidden  fiuit  was,  or  Abraham 
circumcifing  his  children  ;  and  having  taken  the; 
very  point  which  is  difpured  for  trurh,  without  any 
evidence,  they  blended  th^c  with  many  known  fafts 
recorded  in  IcriptLire,  and  thereupon  rank  the  op- 
pofers  of,th..c  point  with  the  old  ferpent  the  devil 
and  Satan,  a'.'d  with  his  initruments  Cain,  Fharoah, 
1  lerod,  and  other  iTiurderers ;  yea  with  luch  as  facri- 
ficed  ilviir  children  to  devils!  And  thishiftory  con- 
tains abundant  evidence  oi  their  adding  the  ma- 
gi 0  rate's  fword  to  all  theie  hard  words,  which  were 
tiled  in  their  prefaces  betoie  they  came  to  any 
of  the  Baptill's  arguments.  When  Mr.  Cotton 
came  to  them,  the  firftof  them  is,  that  in  Chrift's 
commiflion  to  his  minifters,  he  ordered  them  firft  to 
icach  or  make  difcipleSy  and  then  to  baptize  them  ;, 
and  he  fays  two  arguments  offer  themleives  for  his 
way  from  hence.  •' 

"  r.  Such  as  be  difciples,  they  are  to  baptized  ; 
*'  but  the  children  of  the  faithful,  they  are  difci- 
**  pies ;  therefore  childr«n  of  the  faithful,  they  are 
^*  tf)  be  baptized.**  And  to  fupport  this  afiVrtion 
**  he  turns  to  Ifaiah  iiv.  13,  all  thy  children  Jh all 
♦'  he  taught  tifGodi-^nd  fays  he,  "  if  they  be  taught 
"  of  God,  t'scn  are  they  difcijiles  •,  for  that  is  the 
"  rreaning  of  the-Word.  Difciples  are  taught  or 
**  learnt  of  God*."  This  is  true,  and  our  Lord 
quotes  this  text  to  ffiew  how  the  fsithcr  draws  fouls 
to  h  mfelf^  and  fays"^  upon  it,  "  every  man^  there- 
"  fore  that  hath  beard,  and  hsth  learned  of  the  fa- 
•^  ther,  Cometh  unto  me,"  John  yi.  45.  Can  we 
dtfire  a  more  exad   and   certain   definition   of  the 

Wor4 

•  Cotton's  Grounds  and  Ends,  p.  c,,  6i 
%  Note,    Clirilt  fxicws  that  the  word  (hiUrin  in  (hat  ^exti 
^eaiis  poUerity  ;  men  that  are  faught. 


[i645]       iN    NEW-ENGLAND.      iBi 

word  difciple  than  we  have  here  ?  And  let  con-  ~ 
fcicnc^  Ipeak  before  him  who  will  judge  us  all ; 
do  you  who  pra6lifein  this  difputed  way,  believe 
wheij  you  bring  your  infants  to  be  fprinkled  that 
they  have  heard  and  learned  of  the  father,  lo  as  to 
coine  unto  Chrijl  ?  And  do  you  bring  them  becaufe 
they  be  taught  of  God  ?  If  they  are  not,  they  are  not 
difcipks  according  to  the  known  meaning  of  the 
word, 

Mr.  Cotton  frames  his  fecond  argument  from 
Exod.  xii.  4-8,  where  God  required  every  profelytc 
to  have  all  his  malts  circumcifed,  before  he  could 
come  to  the  pafTover ;  upon  wh'ch  Cotton  fays,  *'  if 
"  then  our  Lord's  fupper  come  in  the  room  of  the 
*'  pafTover,  and  our  baptilm  in  the  room  of  circum- 
*'  cifion,  like  as  he  that  had  not  circumcifed  his 
"  males,  was  accounted  as  one  uncircumcifed  him- 
•'  felf,  and  fo  to  be  debarred  from  the  paflbver,  fp 
**  he  who  hath  not  baptifed  his  children,  is  account- 
"  ed  of  God  as  not  baptized  himfelf,  and  fo  to  be 
"  debarred  from  the  Lord's  fupper.  If  therefore 
*'  you  forbid  baptifm  to  children,  you  evacuate  the 
"  baptifm  of  their  parents,  anti  ib  make  the  coni- 
"  mandment  of  God,  and,  the  commiflion  to  the 
^*  apoftles,  and  the  baptifna  of  believers,  of  none 
«  effeaf." 

Thefc  are  the  two  main  arguments  for  infant  bap- 
tifm to  tlvis  day  ;  and  they  both  hang  upon  the  lit- 
tle word  IF,  which  I  think  is  a  very  fmall  pin  torelt 
the  weight  of  whole  provinces  and  kingdoms  upon  : 
If  infant-s  are  difciples  by  virtue  of  their  parents 
profefilon,  then  are  they  to  be  baptized  ;  and  //  our 
baptifm  comes  in  the  place  of  the  circumcifion  of 
Jevvifii  ptofelyccs,  then  we  cannot  lawfully  omit 
bringing  our  infants  thereto.     But  what  //  this  fnp- 

pofuion 

f  Ibid.  p.  Mi 


ir2       HISTORY  or  the  BAPTISTS 

pofuion  fhould  prove  to  be  as  contrary  to  truih  as 
darkncfs  is   to  Jight,    will  men  petfitt  in  thar    way 
ftill  ?  Abraham  had  no  warrant   to   circumcile  any 
buz  fuch  as  were  either  born  in  his  houle  or  bought 
with  his  money.      i'he  firfl:  order  that  v.  as  given  for 
bringing  in  others  by  houjholds    was  in  the    day   that 
Ifniel  came  out  of  Egypt.     Now   as   we   make   no 
pretence  of  being  Abraham's  natural  podenty,  nor 
oi' being  bought  wich  Jewifh  money,  the  argument 
all  turns   upon    a  fur;pc)fal  that   Gentile    believers 
ought  to  bring  their  houfholds  with  them  to  baptifm, 
as  the   faid   profeiytes   did   theirs  to  circumcifion. 
But  I  know  not  how  words  can  exprefs  the  contrary' 
more  plainly  than  God  himlelf  has  done  in  this  cafe  ; 
for  he  fays,  his  new  cov-enant   is  not  according   to 
that  he  made  with  Ifrael  on  faid  day,     Heb.  viii.  8 
—  II.     Upon  this  men   often  aflcrt  that  the   ordi- 
nances differ,   while  the  fubje^s  are  the  fame  :  But 
the  text  aiTures  us  exprefly,  that  the  m;un  difference 
is  in  the  fubjefts  ;  that  the  fubjcfts  of  the  new  cove- 
nant all  know  God  from  the  le^/t  to  xh^  greateji.  When 
this  is  mentioned,   they  would  then  turn    it  to  the 
difference  betwixt   the  outward  adminiflration  and 
jnward  efficacy  of  the  covenant;  but  that  cannot  be 
here  intended,' becauie  that  diftindion    wa^  a?  real 
in  Abraham's  time  as  it  is  now,  as  the  ap-iflie  (hews 
in  Rom.  iv.  ii,     which   text  is    often  brought  for 
a  proof  that  the  covenant  is  the  fame   now  as  with 
Abraham.     If  does  prove  that  the  internal  efHcacy 
of  divine  inftiiutioi.s  was  the  fame    upon   believers 
then  as  now  -,  only  their  faith  was  fixed  on  a  future 
Mefilah,  ours  on  one  already  come.     The  difference 
then  betwixt  the  two  covenants  we  are  fpeaktng  of, 
is  not  internal,  but  external.     By  divine  inllitution 
awhole  family  and  a  v/hole  natitm  were  then  taken 
into  covenant ;  no'N  nouc  sliq  added  to  the   churcK 


[1645.]      IN  NEW- EN  GLAND.        ilg 

ky  thd  Lord  but  believers  who  flaall  he  favsd.  Ads 
ii.  41,47.  Frofcirors  who  bacj  not  this  charader 
y^trc  falfe  brethren  unawares  brought  in.  Gal.  ii.  4. 
7  heir  being  in  was  owing  to  mens  imperfe.dion,  and 
not  to  God's  inftitution ;  yet  becaufe  the  Baptifts 
refufcd  to  yield  to  a  pradice  they  viewed  to 
be  not  only  without,  but  diredlly  againft  divine 
inftitution,  they  were  abufed  in  .the  manner  above 
dcfcribed  j  and  Mr.  Cobbet  concludes  his  dilcourfe 
with  a  few  inferences,  in  wivich  he  lays,  '*  fee  the 
'*  danger  and  deteltablenefs  of  Anabaptiftical  te- 
"  nets,  giving  God  and  Chrift  (in  pare)  the  Ire, 
*'  vailing  the  glory  of  his  preventing  grace  of  cove- 
nant. Numb.  xi.  i8. — Condemning  the  judg- 
ment and  praiflice  of  former  churches,  Je  s  and 
Gentiles — Whence  that  p-cfbdne  trick  of  ibme  to 
turn  their  back  upon  the  churches  [when  they 
fprinkled  infants]  as  if  all  their  perfons  and 
prayers,  and  fcllowihip, were  unclean  :  Whence  the 
*'  tbiingof  it  antichrillian,  &c.  What  is  this  but  to 
"  /'/.'/5>/J;c'W(?  rhe  name  and  tahernacie  and  faints  of 
"  God  ?  Kev.  xiii.'*  T^us  the  Baptifts  were  ac- 
cufed  by  thofe  noted  authors, ot  {^  rophanenefs  and 
blaf^vheaiy,  only  for  their  manifefting  by  word  and 
gefture    their  diHent  from  ii  fant  fprinkiing. 

Mr.  Naduniel  Ward,  of  Iplwich  (the  Indian 
name  of  which  was  Agawam)  who,  with  Mr.  Cot- 
ton, had  often  been  improved  by  the  Court  in  com- 
pofmg  their  law-oook,  publifhed  a  trad  this  year 
under  a  fanciful  title,  which  contains  the  following 
addrcflcs  to  the  Anabaptifts.  "  i.  To  entreat  them 
*'  to  Gonfider,  what  an  high  pitch  of  boldnefs  it  is, 
**  for  a  man  to  cut  a  principal  ordinance  out  of  the 
"  kingdom  of  God  ;  if  it  be  but  to  make  a  difloca- 
*'  tion,  which  lb  far  difgoods  the  ordinance,  I  fear 
**  it  altogether    unhallows  it.     To   tranfplace  or 

*•  tranflimc 


iH     HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

"  tranflirs^e  a  ftated  infl-itutlon  of  Jefus  Chrift,  with-' 
"  out  his  ciiredion,  I  think  is  to  dt-ftroy  it  [].  2; 
"  What  acruelty  it  is,  todive/lchildicn  of  that  only 
*'  external  privilege  which  their  heavenly  father 
"  hath  bequeathed  thenn,  to  intcrefl:  them  viCibly, 
"  in  himlelt",  his  fon,  his  fpirit,  his  covenant  of 
"  pea-ce,  and  the  tender  bofon^  of  their  careful 
'*  mother  the  church.  3.  What  an  inhumanity  it 
"  is,  to  deprive  parents  of  that  comfort  they  may 
"  take  from  the  baptifm  of  their  infants  dying  in 
"  their  childhood.  4.  How  unfeafonably  and  un- 
"  kindly  it  is,  to  interturbe  the  (late  and  church 
"  with  their  Amahkitl/h  cnfets,  when  they  are  in 
"  their  extreme  pangs  of  travel  with  their  lives  ? 
*'  5.  To  take  a  thorough  /ievv  of  thofe  who  have 
*'  perambled  this  by-path  ;  being  fometimes  in  the 
"■  crowds  of  foreign  ivederdropers^  i,  e.  Anabaptifts, 
•*  and  prying  into  their  inward  frames  with  the  befl: 
*'  eyes  I  had",  I  could  but  obferve  thofe  difguiled 
"  guiles  in  the  generality  of  them.  i.  A  flat  for- 
*'  mality  of  fpirit,  without  fait  or  favour  in  the  fpi- 
*'  ritualities  of  Chrift;  as  if  their  religion  had  bc- 
"  gun  and  ended  in  their  opinion.  2.  A  (hallow 
*'  flighting  of  fuqh  as  di(rent  from  them,  appear- 
*'  ing  too  often  in  their  faces,  fpeeches  and  car- 
"  riages.  3.  A  feeble  yet  peremptory  obftinacy  : 
**  Seldom  are  any  of  them  reclaimed*." 

By  thefe  extrafts  the  reader  may  fee  the  temper 
and  language  of  Fsedobaptifts  in  that  day  j  and  how 

much 

11  How  eafily  mat  this  reafoning  be  retorted  ?  Chrift's  infti- 
tution,  and  the  apollles  adminiftrations  of  baptifm,  were  expref* 
ly  to  fuch  as  believed,  gladly  received  the  word,  and  rtiould  be 
faved  ;  and  thofe  who  profefled  fuch  a  faith,  went  into  the  wa-s 
ter,  and  were  buried  in  baptifm  ;  and  according  to  this  writer's 
doctrine,  how  dees  it  dcllroy  the  ordinance  to  change  it  ixiia 
fprinkling  of  infants  ? 

*  Simple  Cobler  of  Agawam,    p»  iC,  17.    Huhiard 


[1646.]       IN    NEW-ENGLAND.       185 

much  of  the  fame  Kas  there  been  in  later  times;  ?  Of 
charging  US  with  cruelty,  becaufe  we  hold  that  nd. 
a(fts  of  men  can  intcreit  children  in  the  grace  of 
God,  before  they  arc  taught  and  believe  his  truths 
and  becaule  we  dare  not  place  our  hopes  of  infants 
fajvation  vion  the  doings  of  miniiters  and  churches, 
inilead  of  the  fovereign  mercy  of  God  in  Jefus 
Chrift,  unto  whom  we  would  commit  them  by  be- 
lieving prayer,  and  if  they  live^  would  ufe  all  gof- 
pel  methods  for.their  conv?rIiop,  and  obedJcnce  to 
all  his  commands  ?  How  much  alfo  have  we  fecn 
of  their  afluming  God's  prerogative^  in  judging  the 
hearts  of  fuch  as  yield  nor  to  their  arguments  ? 

As  all  the  foregoing  means  were  incfFc:diMl,  fome 
of  ihe  minifters  prefented  a  bill  to  the  General 
Court  this  year,  for  the  calling  a  fynod  to  fettle 
thefe  and  other  ecckfiaftical  affairs.  *'  The  man;!- 
ftrates  pafled  the  bill,  but  fome  of  the  depuMts 
iqueftioned  the  power  of  the  Courts  to  require  their 
churches  to  lend  their  meffirngers  to  fuch  a  conven- 
tion, as  not  being  fa.isfied  that  any  fuch  power  was 
jgiven  by  Chrift  to  the  civil  magiflrates  over  the 
thurches  irt  fuch  cares."  Thiscdul'ed  a  debate,  the 
iponclufion  of  which  was*  that  the  enfuing  fynod 
Ihould  be  convened  by  way  of  niotion  On!y  to  the 
churches,  and  not  in  words  of  command  §.  The 
Oirdcr  of  it  began  thus  :     " 

.  *' Boftoji,   i^th^d  Months   i6^G._ 

*'  The  right  form  of  church  government  and  di&' 
cipline  being  agreed^  part  of  the  krngdom  of  Chrift 
upon  earth,  therefore  the  eftablilliing  and  fettlif  g 
tliereof  by  the  joint  and  public  agreement  and  con- 
fcnt  of  churcheSj  and  by^the  fanction  of  civil  autho- 
rity, miift  needs  greatly*canduce  to  the  honor  and 
glory  of  our  J^ord  Jdus  Chrifti  and  to  the  fettling 

B  k  and 


iU      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

and  fafety  of  church  and   cammonwealth,  where 
fnch  a  duty  is  diligently  attended  and  performed.'* 
Upon  which  they  fent  out  their  motion  for  faid  i'y 
nod  ;  to  enforce  which  they  fay,  "  that  for  wane  oi 
the  thing  here  fpoken  of,  ibme  dijfferences   of  opi- 
nion and  praftice  of  one  church  from  another  do 
already   appear  amongft  us-,    and   others   (if  noc 
timely  prevented)  are  like  fpeedily    to  enfue,  and 
this  not  only  in  lefler  things,  but  even  in  points  of 
no  fmall   confequence  and  very  material  •,  to   in- 
ftance  in  no  more  but  thofe  about  baptifm,  and   th« 
perfons  to  be  received  thereto,  in  which  one  parti- 
cular the   apprchenfions  of  many    perfons  in   the 
country  are  known  not  a  little  to  differ;  for  where- 
as in  mofl  churches  the  minifters  do  baptize  the 
children  if  the  grandfather  or   grandmother  be  fet 
members,  though  the   immediate  parents  be  not, 
and  others,  though  for  avoiding  of  difference  of 
neighbour  churches  they  do   noc   yet   actually  fo 
pradife,  yet  they  do  much  incline   thereto.     And 
many  perfons  living  in  this  country  who  have  been 
members  of  the  congregations  in  England,  but  are 
not  found  fit  to    be  rsceived    at  the   Lord's  table 
here,  there  be  notwithftanding  conliderable  perfons 
in  thefe  churches    who  do  think   that  children    of 
thefe  aUo,  upon  fome  conditions  and  terms,  may  and 
ought  to  be  baptized  :  Likewifc  on  the  other  fide, 
there  be  fome  among  us  who  do  think  that  whate- 
ver be  the  Rate  of  the  parents,  baptifm  ought   not 
to  be  difpenfed  to  any  infants   whatfoever ;  whicfi 
"Various  apprehenfions  beiRg  feconded  v/ith  prad:ices 
according  thereto,  as  in  part  they  already  are,  and 
are  like  to  be  more,  mufl:  needs,  if  noc   timely  re- 
medied, beget  fuch  differences  as  will  be  difpleafing 
to  the  Lord,  and  offenfive  to  others,  and  danger- 
■oww   t<i  ourfelves.'*    Thefe   ^cre  their  reafons  for 

calling 


[iM]      IN    NEW-ENGLAND.       1S7 

owning  the  fynod,  and  the  work  aifigned  for  them 
was  to  "  diicufs,  difpute,  and  clear  up  by  the  word 
of  God,  fuch  q-vjeftions  of  church  government,  and 
difciplifi'e,  in  the  things  aforementiotjed,  or  any  other 
as  they  (hall  think  needful  and  meet,  and  to 
co<uinue  lb  doing,  till  they  or  the  major  part  of 
them  fliall  have  agreed  upon  one  form  of  government 
and,  difciphne,  for  the  main  and  fubftantial  parts 
thereof,  as  that  which  they  jvJge  agreeoble  to  the 
holy  fcripcures ;  which  when  it  was  finifhed  was  to 
be  prefcnted  to  the  General  Court,  "  to  the  end  that 
the  hm^  being  found  agreeable  to  the  word  of  God, 
it  may  receive  from  the  faid  General  Court  fuch 
approbation  as  is  meet,  that  the  Lord  being  thus 
acknowledged  by  church  and  fkte,  to  be  our 
judge,  our  lawgiver  and  King,  he  may  be  graciouf" 
iy  pleafed  dill  to  fave  us,  as  hitherto  he  hath 
done  *." 

Herewc  may  plainly  lee  wherein  their  great  mi-- 
ftake  lay.  They  confounded  the  judgment  that 
they  formed  upon  the  fcripture  with  the  rule  itfelf. 
Alio  the  majority  affumed  the  power  of  judging  for 
'the  whole,  and  of  punifhing  dilTenters  from  their 
judgments,  as  breakers  of  God's  law;  a  delufion 
that  the  world  is  not  clear  of  to  this  day,  thougk 
light  and  truth  have  gained  much  fince  that  time. 

We  are  told  that  oppofition  xvas  made  in  fomeof 
the  churches  againft  fending  to  that  fynod,  notwith- 
flanding  the  moderate  cxprefiions  in  the  Court's  or- 
•der  for  it,  and  Mr.  Hubbard  fays  the  principal 
men  who  raifed  it  were  "  fome  who  lately  came 
from  England,  where  fuch  a  vaft  liberty  was  plead- 
ed for,  by  all  that  rabble  of  men  that  went  under 
the   name   of  Independents,  whether  Anabaptifts, 

*  This  requeft  was  alfo  fent  to  the  churches  of  Plymouth  and 
Gonne(^cvit  colouies.    Mojfachufetts  Rtcoriu 

.    B  b  a  Antinomians^ 


|S8      HISTORY  or  the  BAPTISTS 

Antinomians,  Familills  and  Seekers,   far   beyond 
the  moderate  limits  pleaded  for   by  Congregational 
divines  in  the  alTfrnuly  at  VVeftminfcer,  fuch  as  Dr. 
Goodwin,  Mr.  Nye,  Mr.  Burroughs,  &c.  who  yet 
tacked  about  further   than  they  need  to  have  done, 
A  great  part  of  the  Parhanient   alfo,  then  in  being, 
inclined  much  that  ^yay,  and  had  by  their  commif- 
fioners  fen t  word  to  all  the  Englifh   plantations  in 
the  Wcd-Indics,  and  Summer  Illands,  that  all  men 
ihould  enjoy  their  liberty  of  confcience  ;  and  had  by 
their  letters  alfo  intimated  the  fame  to  thofc  of  New- 
England.     Some  few  of  the  church  at   Bofton    ad- 
hered to  thefe  principles,  which  made  them  ftickle 
lb  muck  againlt  the' calling   of  the  fynod   at  that 
time  i  againft  which  they  raifed   ^  threefold  objec- 
tion.     1.  That   by  a   liberty    already   cftablifheci 
among  the   laws  of  New-England,  the   elders  or 
minifters  of  the  churches  have  liberty   to  aflcmble 
\ipcn  all  occafions,  without  the  compliance   of  the 
civil  authority.     2.  It  was  obferved  that  this  motioa 
came  originally  from  fomc  of  the  minitlers,  and  not 
Irom  the  Court.     3.  In    the  order  was  cxprelTcd, 
chat  what  the  major  part  of  the  afTembly  fliould 
agree  upon  fiiould  be  prefented  to  the  Court   foe 
their  confirmation.  "     . 

"  To  thtfirft.  it  was  anfwercd,  that  fai4.  liberty 
\vas  granted  only  for  help  in  cafe  of  extremity,  if  in 
time  to  come  either  the  civil  authority  fhould  grow 
oppolite  to  the  churches,  or  negle<fi  the  care  of 
them,  and  not  with  any  intent  to  pradife  the  fame; 
"while  the  civil  rulers  were  nurfir.g  fathers  to  the 
church  -f .     To  the  fecond  it   was   anfwered,  it  was 

not 

\  Mr.  Williams  in  difcufling;  Mr.  Cotton*s  arguments  ob- 
ferved, that  the  higher  powers  in  Rom,  xiii.  were  ftrangers  to 
^od  and  true  religion,  from  whence  he  argued,  that  for  Paul  to 

command 


[■16^6.]       IN    NEW-ENGLAND.      189 

not  for  the  churches  to  enquire  what  or  who  gave 
the  occafion  ;  but  if  they  thought  fit  to  defire  the 
churches  to  afford  them  help  of  council  in  any  mat- 
ter which  concerned  religion  and  confcieitce,  it  was 
the  churches  duty  to  yield  it  to  them  ;  for  as  far  as  it 
concerns  their  command  or  requeft,  it  is  an  ordi- 
nance of  man,  which  all  are  to  fubmit  unto  for  the 
Lord's  fake,  without  troubling  themfelvcs  about  the 
pccafion  or  fuccefs.  For  the  third,  where  the  order 
ipeaks  of  the  major  part,  it  fpeaks  in  its  own  lan- 
guage,' 

command  fubjeftion  to  fuch   in    fpintual    caufes,  would  have 

]>een  to  put  out  the  eye  of  faith,  reafon  and  fenfe,  at  once.     To 

which  Mr.  Cotton  anfwers,  "  the  cafes  of  religion  wherein  tvg 

*'  alU-Tv  civil  magiftrates  to  be  judges,    arc  fo  fundamental  and 

f  *  palpable,  that  no  magiftrate  ftudious  of  religion  in  the  fear  of 

5'  God,  bat  if  he  have  any  fpiritual  difcerning,  he  cannot  but 

**  judge  of  fuch  grofs  corruptions  as  unfufferable  in  religion.— 

*'  Bat  for  fuch  magiftrates  as  are  merely    natural  and  Pagan, 

**  though  Chriftians  be  bound  to  fubjeifl  themfelvcs  to  them  with 

•'  patieice  ;  yet  fuch  magiltrates  ought  to   forbear  the  cxercife 

"  of  cheir  power,  either  in   procetling  or   punilhing  matters  of 

*'  religion,  iiil  they  have  learned  fo  much    knowledge    of  the 

*'  tru;h,  as  may  enable  therp  to  oifcern  of  things  that  differ." 

Tevet^aped,^    jci,  102.     In  reply   to    which    Mr.  William* 

fays,  "  O  the  raiferable  allowance  which  matter  Cotton    hath 

"  brought  the  Kings  and  governors  of  the  world  unto  !    IVt  al^ 

*'  loiu  them  ^0 judge  in  Juch  fundament aL,  &c.— The    magiftrate 

f  muft  wait  at  their  gates  for  their  poor  alh'wance  :   They  ihall 

**  ^W^/,  and  they  fhall  nox.  judge  ;  thev  ^all  judge  that  which. 

**  is  grofs  and  palpable,  enough  to  hora  the  people  in  Jlaveryy 

*'  and  Xoforci  them  to  facrifice  to  the  prieji's  b^lly  ;   but  the  more 

**■  fublime  and  nicer  tnyjienes  ihey  muft  nor  judge  or  touch,  but 

*'  attend  upon  the  tables  of  t\\t  priejis  infallibility."     Williams's 

'*  Reply,  p.  152      "  If  Chriit  Jefus  have  left  fuch  po\yer  with 

"  the  civil  rulers  of  the  world,  for  the  eftablilhing,    governing, 

*'  and  reforming  his  church,  what   is  become   of  his  care  and 

"■  love,  wifdem  and  faichfulncfs,  fmce  in   all  ages  fmce  h€   left 

"  the  earth,  for  the  general,  he  hath  left  her  deftitute  of  fuch 

f*  qualified  princes  and  governors,  and  in  the   courfe  of  his 

*'  provid^snce  furnifhed  her  with  fuch,  whom  he  knew  would  be 

"  as  fit  as  lAioivts  to  protect  aud  feed  his  fheef  and  people !" 

p-  202. 


lip     HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

g«age,  but  it  never  intended  thereby  to  reftrain  the 
lynod  in  the  manner  of  their  proceeding;  nor  to 
hinder  them,  bwt  that  they  might  firft  acquaint  the 
churches  with  their  conclufions,  and  have  their  af- 
fent  to  them,  before  they  did  prefent  them  to  the 
Court. 

*'  This  matter  was  tv/o  Lord's-days  in  agitation 
■with  the  church  in  Bofton,  before  they  could  be 
brought  to  any  comfortable  concluGon  ;  but  on  a 
ie-<5lur€  day  intervening,  Mr.  Norton,  teacher  of  the 
church  at  Ipfwich,  was  procured  to  fupply  the  place 
at  Bofton,  where  was  a  great  audience  ;  and  the 
fob^ecQ:  then  handled  was,  Mofes  and  Aaron  kiffing 
each  other  in  the  mount  of  God. — On  the  next 
Lord's-day,  after  much  debate  in  Bofton  church,  it 
\vas  agreed  by  the  vote  of  the  major  part,  that  the 
elders  and  three  of  the  brethren  fliould  be  lent  to 
the  fynod  J/* 

This  account  from  one  of  their  noted  minifters, 
may  give  us  confiderable  light  about  the  aftings  of 
that  day.  He  informs  us  that  the  fynod  did  not 
meet  till  near  winter,  when  after  afeffion  of  fourteen 
4ays,  they  adjourned  to  June  iS,  1647-,  and  that 
fummer  proving  fickly  §,  they  v/ere  forced  to  ad- 
journ again.  But  on  Auguft  16,  1648,  they  met, 
and  com  pleated  the  Cambridge  platform ;  the 
laft  article  of  which  fays,  "  if  any  church,  one 
or  more,  fhall  grow  fchifmatical,  rending  itfelf 
from  the  communion  of  other  churches,  or  Ihall 
walk  incorrigibly  or  obftinately  in  any  corrupt 
i(vay  of  their  own,  contrary  to  the  rule  of  the 
■uord  -,  in  fuch  cafe  the  magiftrate  is  to  puc 
ifofth  his  coercive  power,  as  the  mattei*  fhall 
require.**     Which  principle  the  Baptifts  and  others 

felt 

X  Hubbard. 

S  The  celebrated  Mr.  Hooker,  rainifter  of  flartford,  died 
July  7,  1647. 


[i04^.]      IN  NEW-ENGLAND.         ipt 

felt  the  cruel'  effdfbs   of  for  mawy  years  affer.     A 
claufe  was  alio  inferted  at  the  end  oi  their   tenth 
chapter,   that  no  church  afl  can   be  confummatcd 
without  the  confent  of  both   elders  and   brethren  ; 
which  infiplicitiy  gives  minifters  a  power  to  negative 
the  churches  adts,  and   which  many  in  later  times 
hjye  contended  for^  though  that  vv-ould   give  thcin 
fuch  a  lordly  jxDwer  over  the  church,  as  chief  judges 
in  the  ftate  are  not  allowed  to  have  in  the  executive 
courts  of  our  nation.     But   as  to   bapiifm,  tliough 
the  order  for  calling  the  fynod   aflerted  that  mod 
minifters  b>o  baptize  the  grandchildren  of  church 
members,  yet  that  affertion  was  fo  far  from  truth, 
that  thofe  who  "  laboured  much  to  have  this  prin- 
'*  ciple  declared  and  aflerted  in  the  platform,"  could 
not  effecfl  it  becaufc  of  "  many  worthy  men  §."  Mr. 
Hooker  had  publifhed  his  teftimony,  wherein  as  he 
aflerted,  "  that  children  as  children   have  no  right 
to  bapcifm,  fo  that  it  belongs  not  to  any  predeceflcrs 
cither  nearer  or  farther  oft  removed  from    the  nexc 
parents  to  give  right  of  this  privilege  to   their  chil- 
dren f:"'    Mr.    Thomas    Shepard,  paflor   of    the 
church  where  this  fynod  met,  had  alio  publicly  afk- 
ed  what  members    every  particular   vifible   church 
ought  to  confift  of?  and  anfwered,  that  *'  Chrift  be- 
*'  ing  the  head  of  every  particular  church,  and  it  his 
•'  body,  hence  none   are  to    be    members   of  the 
"  church  but  fuch  as  are  members  of  Chrifl:  by 
**  faith."     And  though  he  obferves  that  hypocrites 
d©  fometimes  creep  iu^  yet  he  fays,  *'  if  they  could 
'*  have  been  known  to  be  fuch,  they  ought   to  be 
"  kept  out ;  and  when  they  are  known  they  areor- 
*'  derly  tobecaftout*."  And  there  was  ftill  more  re- 
gard paid  to  this  firft  principle  of  the  New- England 

churdics, 

§  Magnalk,  b.  iv.  p.  176. 

t  Siirvey  of  Church  Difcipline,    part  3,  p.  13. 

•  Fixft  Principles  of  the  Oracles  ef  God,  p.  25,  26. 


19?.      HISTORY  or  the  BAPTIStS 

churches,  than  could  confill  with  the  admifllon  of 
pcrfons  to  bring  their  children  to  baptifm,  who  were 
*'  not  found  fie"  for  the  other  ordinance. 

It  may  be  proper  now  to  take  a  further  view  of 
the  affairs  of  Mr.  Gorton  and  his  company.  Upon 
their  being  releafed  and  banilhed,  as  I  have  related, 
they  went  to  Rhode-Ifland,  and  from  thence  over 
to  Narraganfet,  where,  on  April  19,  1644,  they 
procured  a  deed  from  the  fachems,  whereby  they  re- 
iigned  thcmfejves,  people,  lands,  rights,  inheri- 
tances and  poffcflions,  over  unto  the  protection  and 
government  of  king  Charles  j  and  appointed  Sa- 
muel Gorton,  and  others  their  agents,  to  carry  the 
fame  to  him.  This  was  figncd  by  Paflicus,  Canau- 
nicus  and  Maxan,  and'witnefled  by  two  Indians  and 
three  Englifh.  The  lofs  of  their  great  fachem  Mi- 
antinomu  lay  very  heavy  upon  their  fpirits.  Hub- 
bard fays  he  "  was  a  very  goodly  perfonage,  of  tall 
*'  ftature,  fubtile  and  cunning  in  his  contrive- 
"  ments."  In  May  came  a  letter  to  the  rulers  at 
Bodon,  figned  by  Canaunicus,  *'  though  y/ritten  by 
fome  of  Gorton's  company,  to  this  effcdl,  that  they 
purpofed  to  make  war  upon  Uncas,  in  revenge  of 
the  death  of  Miantinomu  and  others  of  their  peo- 
ple, and  marvelled  that  the  Englifh  Ihould  be 
againft  it;  and  that  they  had  put  thcmfelvcs  under 
the  government  and  proteftion  of  the  King  of  Eng- 
land, and  fo 'tvere  become  their  fellow  fubjedts,  and 
therefore  if  any  difference  fhould  fall  between  them, 
it  ought  to  be  referred  to  him  ;  profeffing  withal 
their  vvillingners  to  continue  all  friendly  correfpon- 
dence  with  them.  The  General  Court  received 
another  letter  from  Gorton  and  his  company,  to  the 
like  effc6t.  **  Jone  23,  news  came  that  the  Nar- 
raganlcts  had  killed  fix  of  Uncas's  men  and  five 
women,  and  had  fcnt  two  hands  and  a  foot  to  Pum- 

ham. 


[1646.]       IN    NEW-ENGLAND.      191 

ham,  to  engage  him  to  join  with  them,  but  he  chofe 
to  Fwcep  to  the  MaflTachuietts  *.  Contentions  incrcaled 
fo  much  the  next  year  that  an  extraordinary  meeting 
of  the  Commiflioners  of  the  United  Cf)!onieswasc..l- 
ledat  Boflon,  on  July  28,  1645,  when  they  fent  tl.ree 
mefTengers  to  the'  Narraganfets,  who  on  their  retura 
brought  a  letter  from  Mr.  Williams  to  theCommif- 
fioners,  afluring  them  that  "  war  would  preiently 
break  forth,  and  that  the  Narraganfet  lachems 
had  lately  concluded  a  neutrality  with  Providence,; 
and  the  towns  on  Aquedneck  ifland."  Upon  which 
they  determined  to  raife  an  army  of  300  men,  in  the 
following  proportion,  viz.  190  out  of  the  Mafla- 
Chufetts,  40  out  of  Plymouth,  40  out  of  Conn':<5li- 
cut,  and  30  out  of  New-PIaven  colonies.  For- 
ty were  raifcl  immediately,  and  fent  away  under  the 
CO  nmand  of  Lieutenant  Humphry  Atherton,  to 
proted  Uncas,  till  Capt.  Mdfon  fhould  meet  him 
there  with  the  weftern  forces,  who  were  then  to  pro- 
teed  to  me^t  the  remainder  of  the  forces  from  the 
eaftward,  in  Narraganfer,  under  the  command  of 
Edward  Gibbons,  Mjjor  General.  After  which  Go- 
vernor Winthrop  informe^d  the  Commiirioners^ 
*'  that  fmce  Miantinomu's  death  the  Narraganfet  fa- 
chems  by  meflengers  fent  himaprtfenr,  ejt^;ieffing 
their  defire  to  keep  peace  with  the  Erglifh,  butde- 
firingtc^make  war  with  Uncas  for  ih--'ir  fachem*s 
d.-a  h."  1  heprefentwas  aboUu  tie  value  of  1 5  [Oiin  's 
in  wampum,  but  hcrefufed  to  receive  it  upon  thofe 
terms.  The  Commiflloners  concluded  to  take  the 
prefent  into  their  hands,  and  thereupon  ft-nt  Cap- 
tain Harding  and  Mr.  Wilbore  to  thofe  fachtms, 
Vho  were  to  take  Benedict  Arnold  with  them,  and 
inform  them  that  their  prefent  v/as  returned  and  noc 
accepted,  unlefs  they  would  be  at  peace  with  Uncas 

C  C  89 

f  WLnihrop— Hubbard 


194      HISTORY  OF  the  BAPTISTS 

as  well  as  the  Englifli  ;  but  if  faid  fachcms  would 
come  with  them  to  Bofton,  they  fhoiild  have  liberty 
fafely  to  come  and  return  without  molellation,  to  treat 
of  peace,  though  deputies  in  their  ftead  would  not 
now  do.     The  meflengers  returning  brought  back 
the  prefent,  and  informed  the  Commiflioners  that 
"  tliey  found  not  Benedid   Arnold   at  Providence, 
"  and  heard   that   he  durft  not  adventure  himfelf 
"  again  amongft  the  Narraganfet  Indians  without  a 
"  fufRcient  guard.     They  alfo  undcrftood  that  Mr. 
"  Williams,  fent  for  by  the  Narraganfet  fachems, 
*'  was  going  thither,  wherefore  they  acquainted  him 
*'  with  their  melTage,  fhewed  him  their  inftruftions, 
*'  and  made  ufe  of  him   as   an  interpreter."     Fie 
prevailed  with  PafHcus  and  others  to  go  to  Bofton, 
and  move'd  the  meflengers  to  write  and   acquaint 
Captain  Mafon  of  the  profpe<5l  there  was  of  peace  ; 
which  laft  article  the  Commiflioners  cenfured  them 
for,  as  going  beyond  their  inftruftions.     The  Eng- 
lifli demanded  2000  fathoms  of  wampum  to  pay  the 
cofl;s  of  this  expedition,   and  for  other   damages ; 
which  the  Indians  were  compelled  to  yield  to,  and 
to  give  hoftages  till  it  was  paid ;  and  fo  articles  of 
peace  were   drawn  up  and   figned   between   them. 
After  which  the    Commiflioners  drew   up   a  for- 
mal declaration,  to  jufl:ify  their  proceedings  in  faid 
■warf. 

The  Indians  were  far  from  being  eafy  under  thefe 
tilings  i  and  in  Auguft,  1648,  about  1000  Indians 
from  various  parts  were  colle<5led  in  Connedicut, 
with  300  guns  among  them  ;  and  it  was  reported 
that  they  were  hired  by  the  Narraganfets  to  fight 
with  Uncas.  The  magiftratcs  of  Hartford  fent  three 

horfemeri 

+  Records  of  the  United  Colonics.  MaffacluifcUs  Hiftory, 
tol.  3,p.  138— 145. 


[i64(S.]      IN  NEW-ENGLAND.         195 

h'orfemen  to  enquire  what  they  defigned,  and  to  Jet 
them  know  that  if  they  made  war  with  him  the 
Englifli  muft  defend  him,  upon  which  they  difpcrf-  , 
ed.  When  the  Commiffioners  met  at  Piimouth  the 
next  month,  they  ordered  four  men  to  befent  to 
the  Narraganfets,  '*  with  inftrudlions  how  to  treat 
with  them,  both  concerning  their  hiring  other  In- 
dians to  war  upon  Uncas,  and  alfo  about  the  tri^ 
bute  of  wampum  that  was  behind.  Captain  Ather- 
ton  and  Captain  Prichard  undertook  thefervice,  and 
going  to  Mr.  Williams,  they  procured  the  fachems 
to  be  fent  for";  but  they,  hearing  that  many  hnrfe- 
mcn  were  come  to  take  them,  fliifted  for  them- 
fclves  :  Paflicus  fled  to  Rhode-Ifland  ;  but  foon  af- 
ter they  were,  by  Mr.  Williams's  means,  delivered 
of  their  fears,  and  came  to  the  meflengers  as  they 
were  defired,  and  denied  their  hiring  the  Mohawks 
to  war  againil  Uncas,  though  they  owned  that  they 
had  fent  them  a  prefent  §. 

Gorton,  Holden  and  Greene,  went  to  England 
to  carry  the  Narraganfet's  furrendry  of  ihemfelvea 
and  lands,  as  weil  as  their  own  complaints,  to  the 
King-,  but  found  him  not  able  to  help  either  him- 
felf or  them.  However,  they  publilhed.  their  cafe 
and  a  narrative  of  their  luflerings,  in  164.5^  under 
the  title  of  Simplicity'* s  Defence  agaivft  feven-headed 
Policy.  They  alfo  applied  themielves  to  the  Com- 
miffioners  that  the  Parliament  had  appointed  over 
the  affairs  of  the  plantations,  and  at  length  obtained 
from  them  the  following  letter  to  the  authority  ia 
the  Maffachufetts  colony,  viz. 

"  We  being  efpecially  intruded,  by  both  houfes 
of  Parliament,  with  ordering  the  affairs  and  govern- 
ment of  the  Englilh  plantations  in  America,  have 

C  c  2  fome 

§  Canaunicus  died  a  verv  old  man,  on  Tune  4,  1648.    Hub- 


ifg6     HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

fame  months  fince  rece'ived  a  complaint  from  Mr," 
G<Ji  ton  and  Mr.  Holden,  in  the  name  of  themrelves 
and  civers  other  Engliih,  who  have  tranfported 
'  themiclves  into  New-England,  and  now  are  or  late- 
ly Were  mhabitants  ot  a  traft  of  land  called  the 
Narraganlet  Bay  (a  copy  of  which  complaint  the 
inclined  petition  and  narrative  will  reprelcnt  unto 
y,  ur  knowledge)  we  could  not  proceed  forthwith 
to  a  full  hearing  and  determining  of  the  matter,  it 
jiut  appearing  unto  us  that  you  were  acquainted 
yith  the  particular  charge,  or  that  you  had  furnifh- 
pd  any  perlons  with  power  to  make  defence  in  your 
behalf;  nor  could  we  conveniently  refpite  fome 
Icind  of  refolution,  without  a  great  pitjudice  to  the 
petitioners,  who  would  hava  lain  under  much  in- 
conveniency  if  we  had  detained  them  from  their 
families,  till  all  the  formalities  and  circumftances  of 
proceeding  (nccefifary  at  this  diftance)  had  regular- 
ly prepared  the  caufe  for  a  hearing.  We  (hall  there-? 
fore  let  you  know  in  the  firlt  place,  that  our  prc- 
fent  refolution  is  not  grounded  upon  an  admittance 
of  the  truth  of  what  is  charged;  we  knowing  well 
how  much  God  hath  honored  your  government,  and 
believing  that  your  fpirit  and  affairs  are  afted  by 
principles  of  jviftice,  prudence  and  zeal  to  God; 
and  therefort  cannot  eafily  receive  any  evil  impref- 
^ons  concerning'  your  proceedings.  In  the  next 
place  you  may  take  notice  that  we  found  the  peti- 
ti9ners  aim  and  defire,  in  the  refult  of  it,  was  not  fo 
niuch  a  reparation  of  what  was  pafTed,  as  a  fettling 
their  habitations  for  the  future,  under  that  govern-: 
nient,  by  a  charter  of  civil  incorporation,  which  was 
heretofore  granted  them  by  ourfelves.  We  find 
v^ithal  that  the  tradl  of  land  called  the  Narraganfet 
Bay,  concerning  which  the  queilion  is  arifen,  was 
jiivcrs  years  fince  inhabited  by  thofe  of  Providence, 

Porifmoytl^ 


[1646.]       w   NEW-ENGLAND.      197 

Fortfrnouth  and  Newport,  who  are  interefted  in  the 
complaint;  and  that  the  lame  is  wholly  without  the 
bounds  ot  the  Maflachufetts  patent  granted  by  his  > 
Majefty.  We  have  coniidered  that  they  be  Englilh, 
that  the  forcing  of  them  to  find  oiu  new  places  of 
refidence  will  be  very  chargeable,  difficult  and  un- 
certain, and  therefore,  upon  the  whole  matter,  do 
pray  and  require  you  to  permit  and  fufFer  the  peti- 
tioners, and  all  the  late  inhabitants  of  Narraganfet 
Bay,  with  their  families,  and  luch  as  fhall  hereaf-- 
ter  join  with  them,  freely  and  quietly  to  live  and 
plant  upon  the  Shawomet,  and  fuch  ether  part  of 
the  faid  trad  of  land,  Vj^ithin  the  bounds  mentioned 
in  our  faid  charter,  on  which  they  have  formerly 
planted  and  lived,  without  extending  your  juriidic- 
tion  to  any  part  thereof,  or  otherwife  diiquieting 
them  in  their  confciences  or  civil  peace,  or  inter- 
rupting them  in  their  poffefiions,  until  iuch  time  as 
we  (hall  have  received  your  anlwcr  to  their  clatn  in 
point  of  title,  and  you  Ihali  thereupon  have  received 
our  further  order  thcrem.  And  in  cafe  any  others, 
Jincethc  petitioners  addrefs  to  England,  have  taken 
poflfefilon  of  any  part  of  the  lands  heretofore  enjoyed 
by  the  petitioners,  or  any  their  afibciates,  you  arc 
to  caufe  them  that  are  newly  poflelfed  as  aforefaid  to 
be  removed,  that  this  order  may  be  fully  performed. 
And,  till  our  further  order,  neither  the  petitioners 
are  to  enlarge  their  plantations,  nor  are  any  others  to 
be  fuffered  to  intrude  upon  any  part  of  the  Narra- 
gaiifet  Bay  ;  and  if  they  Ihall  be  found  hereafter  to 
abufe  this  favour,  by  any  a6t  tending  to  difturb 
your  rights,  we  fhall  exprefs  a  due  fenle  thereof,  fo 
as  to  teftify  our  care  of  your  honorable  prore(5li(  n 
and  encouragement.  In  order  to  the  effc<5ting  of 
this  refolution  we  do  alfo  require,  that  you  fuffcr  the 
(aid  Mr*  Gorton,  Mr.  Holden,  Mr,  Greene,  and 

their 


19S       HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

their  company,  with  their  goods  and  ncceflaries,  to 
pafs  through  any  part  of  that  territory  which  is  under 
your  jurifdiftion,  toward  the  faid  tract  of  land,  with- 
out moleftation,  they  demeaning  themfelves  civilly, 
any  former  fentence  of  cxpulfion  otherwifc  notwiih- 
flanding.  We  ihall  only  add,  that  to  thefe  orders  of 
ours  we  fhall  expeft  a  conformity,  not  only  from 
yourfelvcs,  but  from  all  other  governments  and 
plantations  in  New-England  whom  it  may  concern. 
And  fo  commending  you  to  God's  gracious  protec- 
tion, we  reft  your  loving  friends. 

"  From  the  Governor  in  Chief,  loving  Admiral, 
and  Commiflioners  for  foreign  plantations,  fitting 
at  Wcftminfter,  1 5  May,   1 646. 

*'  To  our  loving  friends  the  Governor,  Deputy- 
Governor  and  AfllPcants  of  the  MafTachufetts  plan- 
tations, in  New- England. 

Warwick^  Governor  and  Admiral, 
Norihumberlandt     John  Holland., 
Nottingham^  H.  Vane*^''  ^c. 

With  this  order  and  refolution  Mr.  Gorton  and 
his  friends  returned  to  Bofton,  where  they  were  in 
motion  to  apprehend  them,  till  upon  fliewing  the 
ftate's  order  they  were  permitted  to  return  to  Shawo- 
met,  which,  in  honor  to  their  friend  the  Admiral, 
they  called  Warwick.  Sundry  of  them  lived  there 
to  old  age,  and  were  confidera'oly  improved  in  the 
government  of  the  colony. 

As  there  was  no  particular  form  of  government, 
nor  appoinrment  of  officers  in  their  charter,  it  took 
a  length  of  time  to  fettle  upon  a  method  that  was 
agreeable  to  the  majority  of  the  inhabitants.  Their 
lirft  General  AfTembly  met  at  Portfmouth  on  May 
19,  1647,  when  Mr.  John  Cogglliall  was  chofen 
Prefident,  Mr.  Roger  Williams  Afiiftant  for  Provi- 
dence,   Mr.  John  Sanford  for  Portfmouth,   Mr. 

William 
•  Providence  Recordi, 


[1647]      IN    NEW-ENGLAND.      199 

William  Coddingdon  for  Newport,  and  Mr.  Randal 
Holden  for  Warwick.  Mr.  William  Dyre  was 
chofen  recorder.  They  agreed  upon  a  body  of 
laws,  chiefly  taken  from  the  laws  of  England,  wixh 
the  addition  of  a  few  fuited  to  their  particular  cir- 
cumftances.  They  alfo  ordered,  *'  ijiat  forafmuch 
*'  as  Mr.  Roger  Williams  hath  taken  great  pains, 
"  and  expended  much  time,  in  obtaining  the  charter 
"  for  this  province,  of  our  noble  Lords  and  Gover- 
"  nors,  be  it  enabled  and  eftabliflied,  that  in  regard 
•'  to  his  fo  great  trouble,  charges  and  good  endea- 
"  vours,  we  do  freely  give  and  grant  unto  the  faid 
*'  Mr.  Roger  Williams  an  hundred  pounds,  to  be 
*'  levied  out  of  the  three  towns,  viz.  fifcy  pounds 
"  out  of  Newport,  thirty  pounds  out  of  Fortf- 
*'  mouth,  twenty  pounds  out  of  Providence-,  which 
"  rate  is  to  be  levied  and  paid  in  by  the  laft  of  No- 
*'  vember." 

The  form  of  government  which  they  came  int® 
was  thus  to  eleft  a  Prefident  and  four  AfTiftants  an- 
nually, who  had  the  executive  power,  were  judges 
in  the  courts  of  law,  and  kept  the  peace.  An  Al^ 
fembly  of  fix  CommifTioners,  or  Reprefentatives 
fromisach  town,  made  laws  and  ordered  their  general 
affairs ;  but  their  laws  muft  be  fent  to  every  town,  to 
be  deliberately  confidered  in  their  town  meetings, 
from  whence  the  clerk  was  to  fend  an  account  of 
their  votes  to  the  general  recorder  §,  and  if  the 
majority  of  the  towns  approved  the  law,  it  was  con- 
firmed, if  not,  it  was  difannuUed.  The  AfTembly  chofc 
yearly  a  general  recorder  and  general  ferjeant ;  which 
are  only  other  names  for  a  fecretary  and  fheriff.  In 
each  town  fix  perfons  were  yearly  chofen,  who  were 
called  the  town-council,  who  had  the  powers  of  a 

Court 

§  In  May,  1660,  they  enaftcd  that  the  return  of  their  votes  to 
the  recorder  mud  be  made  in  three  months. 


200     HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

Court  of  Probate,  of  granting  licences  to  inn-keep- 
ers and  retailers,  and  rhe  care  of  the  poor. 

Ptrfons  of  almoft  all  fciuiments  and  tempers  had 
reforted  to  this  new  colony,  and  various  conten- 
tions and  parties  had  appeared,  which  were  not  eafi- 
ly  compoled  and  reconciled  ;  but  toward  the  ob- 
taining of  fuch  a  cefirable  end,  the  following  cove- 
nant was  drawn  and  figned  at  Providence,  viz. 
*'  confidering  the  great  mercy  afforded  unto  us,  in  this 
liberty  thus  to  meet  together,  being  denied  to  many 
of  our  countrymen  in  mod  parts,  efpccially  in  our 
ppor  native  country,  now  deploring  their  diflreficd 
condition  in  moft  lad  and  bloody  calamities :  That 
ingratitude  and  dilacknowledgments  for  fa/ours  re- 
ceived, arejufl:  caufes  for  the  deprivation  of  themj 
together  with  home  divifions  and  home  confpiracies,- 
the  ruination  of  familieSj  towns  and  countries : 
Moreover,  thf*  many  plots  and  prefent  endeavours 
at  home  and  abroad,  not  only  to  difturb  our  peace 
and  liberties,  but  utterly  to  root  i^p  both  root  and 
branch  of  this  our  being -,  fhat  government  held 
forth  through  love,  union  and  order,  although 
by  few  in  number  and  mean  in  condition,  yet  (by 
experience)  hath  withftood  and  overcome  mighty 
cppdiers ;  and  above  all,  the  feveral  unexpected 
deliverances  of  this  poor  plantation,  by  that  mighty 
providence  who  is  ftill  able  to  deliver  us,  through 
love,  union  and  order  :  Therefore  being  fenfible  of 
thele  great  and  weighty  premifes,  and  now  met  to- 
gether to  confult  about  our  peace  and  libertyi 
whereby  our  families  and  pofterity  may  ftill  enjoy 
thefe  favours ;  and  that  we  may  publicly  declare 
unto  ai  the  free  difcharge  of  allour  confcienees  and 
duties,  whereby  it  may  appear  upon  record  that 
we  jre  not  wilfully  oppofite,  nor  carelefs  and  {ef]ie- 
lefs,  ar,d  thereby  the  means  of  our  own  and  otherj 


[1646.]       tiT   KEW-ENGLAND/    aot 

turn  and  deftrudion  j  and  efpecially  in  teftimony  of 
our  fidclicy  and  cordial  afFedion  unto  one  dmocher 
here  prefent,  that  fo  there  may  be  a  current  placable 
proceeding,  wedofaichf-ullyand  unanimoufly,  by  this 
our  fubfcription,  promiie  unto  each  other  to  keep 
Unto  thefe  cnfuing  particulars.  Fird,  that  the 
foundation  in  love  may  appear  among  Us,  what 
caufes  of  difference  have  heretofore  been  givenj 
cither  by  wrord  or  mifbchaviour,  in  public  or  private,  • 
concerning  particular  or  general  affairs,  by  any  q£ 
us  here  preicnt,  not  to  mention  or  repeat  them  in 
the  aflfembly,  but  thar  love  jflijii  cover  the  multi- 
tude of  them  in  the  grave  of  oblivion.  Secondlyj 
that  union  may  proceed  from  love,  we  60  proraife 
to  keep  conltant  unto  thofe  fevei-al  en-ragements 
made  by  us,  both  unto  our  town  and  colony,  and 
that  to  the  uttermoft  of  our  powers  and  abilities  to 
maintain  our  lawful  rights  and  privileges,  and  to 
uphold  the  government  of  this  plantation.  Alf<4 
that  love  may  appear  in  union,  we  defire  to  aban- 
don all  cauflefs  fears  and  jealoufies  of  one  iinotheri 
fcif-feeking  and  ftriving  one  againll  another,  only 
aiming  at  the  general  and  particular  peace  and  uniort 
of  this  town  and  colony.  Laftiy,  for  our  more  or- 
derly proceeding  in  this  affembly,  whereby  love  and 
union  may  appear  in  order,  if  in  owr  confultations 
differences  injudgment  fhall  arife,  then  moderately 
in  order,  through  argumentation,  to  agitaie  the 
fame  ;  canfiJering  the  cauie  how  far  it  may  be  hurt- 
ful, or  conducing  unto  our  union,  peace  and  liber- 
ty, and  accordingly  acl,  not  fiher  the  will  or  perlbn 
of  any,  but  unto  the  juftice  and  righteoufnefs  of  the 
caufe.  Again,  if  fuch  caufe  fliall  be  prefented 
V/herein  fuch  difficulties  fluall  appear,  that  evident 
arguments  cannot  be  given  for  prefent  fat:isfa<i1ionj 
-but  that  either,  town  or  colony  or  both  Ihail  luffer^ 
P  d  theii 


202      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

then  to  take  into  our  confideration  a  fpeech  of  a  be- 
loved friend,  "  better  to  fuffer  an  inconvenience  than 
a  mifchief,"  better  to  fulpend  v/ich  a  lofs  which  may 
be  inconvenient,  than  to  be  totally  difunited  and 
bereaved  of  all  tights  and  liberties,  which  will  be  a 
mifchief  indeed.  Moreover  that  ofFences  and  di- 
llradions  may  be  prevented,  that  fo  the  current  of 
bufinefs  may  peaceably  proceed  in  this  alTenTibly,  we 
do  faithfully  promife  to  carry  ourfclves,  in  wcrds 
.and  behaviour,  fo  moderately  and  orderly  as  the 
caufc  fhall  permit,  and  if  any  of  us  Ihall  fly  out  in 
provoking,  fcurrilous,  exorbitant  fpeeches,  and  un- 
fuitable  behaviour,  that  he  or  they  fo  doing  (hall 
be  publicly  declared,  branded  and  noted  upon  re- 
cord to  be  a  covenant  violator,  and  diilurbcr  of  the 
union,  peace  and  liberty  of  this  plantation.  We 
ido  here  fubfcribe  without  partiality.  Dated  De- 
cember,  1647. 

Robert   fViUiams^    Roger   IVilliams^    John  SmiiJ;^ 

Hugh  Bewiiy    fFiUlam  TVickemf^n^    John  Tripp^ 

Thsmas  Hopkins,  IP^illiam  Hawkins.'* 

This  preferring  of  the  public  good  to  private  inte- 

reftor  incliqationr^  Mr.  Williams  difcovered  as  much 

of,  through  his  life,  as  perhaps  any  man  has  done  in 

latter  ages ;  but  alas !   he  had  to  do  with  many  who 

were  not  of  this  difpofirion. 

In  their  Gt'neral  AfTcmbly  at  Providence,  May 
l6,<*i6.f8,  Mr.  Coddington  was  eleded  Prefidenf, 
and  Jeremiah  Clarke,  Roger  Williams,  William 
Baullton,  and  John  Smith,  AfTiftants  ;  Philip  Sher- 
man, recorder,  and  Alexander  Partridge,  general 
ferjeant  i  but  Mr.  Coddington  abfented  himfelf, 
Mr.  Dyre,  the  late  recorder,  having  exhibited  divers 
bills  of  complaint  againfl  him,  and  he  did  *'  not  at- 
•'  tend  this  Court  for  the  clearing  of  the  accufations 
•*  charged  upon  him  y   upon  which  the  AfTembly 

paffec , 


[1648.]     -IN  NEW-ENGLAND.         ao^ 

pafTed  an  afl  that  in  fuch  a  cafe  the  AfTiftant  of  the 
town  where  the  Frcfident  lived  fliould  fupply  his 
place*. 

Mr.  Coddington  wrote  to  Governor  Winthrop 
the  25th  of  the  lame  month,  that  *'  Mr.  Baulftone, 
"  and  fome  others  of  this  ifland,  are  in  difgrace  with 
"  the  people  in  Providence,  Warwick,  and  Gor- 
"  ton's  adherents  on  the  ifland,  for  that  we  will  not 
"  intcrpofe  or  meddle  at  all  in  their  quarrels  with 
"  the  Maflachuferts,  and  the  reft  of  the  colonies  i 
"  and  do  much  fear  that  Gorton  will  be  a  thorn  in 
"  their  fides,  if  the  Lord  prevent  not."  And  when 
the  Commifiioners  of  the  United  Colonies  met  in 
September  this  year,  he  and  Captain  Partridge  v;ent 
t^  them  and  faid,  "  our  requeftand  motion  is  "  in 
"  the  behalf  of  our  ifland,  that  We  the  iflanders  of 
"  Rhode-Ifland  may  be  received  into  a  combina- 
*■=  tion  with  all  the  United  Colonies  of  Nevv-Eng- 
"  land,  into  a  firm  and  perpetual  league  of  friend-' 
•'  (hip  and  amity,  for  offence  and  defence,  mutual 
•'  advice  and  fuccour,  upon  all  juft  occafions,  for 
•'  our  mutual  lafcty  and  welfare,  and  for  preferv- 
•*tfjg  of  peace  amongftourfelves,  and  preventing, 
■*  as  much  as  may  be,  all  occafions  of  war  or  dif- 
'♦  ferences,  and  to  this  our  motion  we  have  the 
*'  coF.fent  of  the  major  part  of  our  ifland. 
William  Coddington, 
Alexander  Partridge." 

Thus,  under  a  pretence  of  promoting  peace,  they 
would  have  feparated  the  ifland  from  the  reft  of 
that  little  colony.  However  the  Cominiflloners 
were  not  willing  to  own  them  as  a  dffcmcfl  colony, 

Dd  2  buc 

*  All  the  articles  from  Mr.  Gorton's  return  till  now  are 
taken  from  the  colony  and  Providence  town  records,  compaie^l 
T'l:k  Mr.  Callender  aud  others, 


?Q4      HISTORY  OT  THE  BAPTISTS 

but  would  have  the  ifland  to  be  included  in  Plymouth 
patent,  and  if  the  majority  of  its  inhabitants  would 
acknowledge  themfelves  to  be  under  that  jurifdiftion, 
they  were  willing  then  to  afford  them  the  fatne  advice 
apd  help  as  they  did  to  others*.  Mr.  Edward  Win- 
flow  had  been  fent  over  to  England  their  agent,  to 
anfwer  the  complaints  of  Gorton's  company,  and  tp 
fupport  their  claims  againft  that  little  colony  j  but  he 
wrote  from  London  to  the  Commiflioners  of  the 
United  Colonies,  April  17,  1651,  and  faid,  **fincc 
*^  1  perceived  byjetters  from  Plymouth,  that  after 
"  another  year's  warning  nothing  is  likely  to  be 
'*  done,  in  reference  to  the  old  order  of  Lords  and 
**  Commons  (cnt  over  ;  I  looked  upon  it  as  a  vain 
*'  thing  to  drive  againft  the  ftream;  whereas  indeed 
^'  thatwas  the  main  material  objection  above  a  twelver 
*^  month  fince,  which  I  could  not  anfwer  that  we 
"  had  fuch  an  order,  but  never  looked  after  the  per- 
,*'  formance  thereof,  normadeany  return  upon  it§." 

While  various  parties  y.ere  exerting  themfelves 
in  different  ways, Mr.  Williamson  Auguft3i,  1648, 
made  the  following  motion  to  the  town  of  Provi? 
dcnce,  viz. 

*'  Worthy  friends,  that  ourfelves  and  all  men  are 
apt  and  prone  to  differ,  it  is  no  new  thing.  In  all 
former  ages,  in  all  parts  of  the  world,  in  thefe  parts, 
and  in  our  dear  native  country  and  mournful  ftate 
of  England,  that  either  part  or  party  is  moft  right 
in  his  own  eyes,  his  caufe  right,  his  carriage  right, 
bis  arguments  right,  his  anfwers  right,  is  as  woful- 
ly  and  conltantly  true  as  the  former.  And  expe- 
rience telis  us,  that  when  the  God  of  peace  hath  taken 
peace  from  the  earth,  one  fpark  of  aflion,  word  0^ 
carriage,  is  too  too  powerful  to  kindle  fuch  a  fire  as 

burn^ 

•  MafTadiufettt  Kiftoryj  vol.  3,  p.  225,  8^6. 
4  ]bid,  p.  2ZQ. 


[1648.]        m    NF.W   ENGLAND.      205 

burns  up  towns,  cities,  ^:....::,  iiavics,  nations  and 
kingdoms.     And  fincc,  dear  friends,  it  is  an  honor 
for  men  to  ceafe  from  ftrife  \  iince  the  life   of  love 
is  fweet,  and  union  is  as  ftrong  as  fweet  j  and  fince 
you  have  been  lately  pieafed  to   call  me   to  fome 
public  fervice,  and  my  foul  hath  been  long  mufmg 
how  I  might  bring  water  to  quench,  and  not  oil  or 
fuel  to  the  flame,  I  am  now  humbly  bold  to  befeech 
you,  by  all   thofe  comforts   of  earth    and   heaven 
which  a  placable  and  peaceable  fpirit  will  bring  to 
you,  and  by  all  thofe  dreadful  alarms  and  warnings 
cither  amongft  ourfelves,  in  deaths  and  ficknclTes, 
or  abroad  in   the  raging  calamities   of  the   Iword, 
death  and  peftilence  ;  I  fay  I  humbly  and  earneftly 
befeech  you  to  be  willing  to  be  pacifiable,  willing 
to  be  rcconcileable,  willing  to  be   fociable,  and  to 
liften  to  the  (I  hope  not  unreafonable)  motion  foU 
lowing  :  To  try  out  matters  by  difputes   and  wri^ 
lings,  is  fometimestndlefs;  to  try  out  arguments  by 
arms  and  fwords,  is  cruel  and  mercilefs  ;  to  trouble 
the  ftate  and  Lords  of  England,  is  moft  unreafont^- 
ble,  mofl:  chargeable  j  to  trouble  our  neighbours  of 
other  colonies,  feems  neither  fafe  nor  honorable.  Me- 
thinks,  dear  friends,  the  colony   now   locks  with 
the  torn  face  of  two  parties,  and  that  the  greater 
number  of  Portfmouth,  with  other   loving  friends 
adhering  to  them,  appear  as  one  grieved  party  ;  the 
other  three  towns,  or  greater  part  of  them,  appear  to 
be  another ;  Let  each  party   choofe  and  nominate 
three ;  Portfmouth  and  friends  adhering  three,  the 
other  party  three,  one  cue   of  each  town  :  Let  au- 
thority be  given  to  tiiem  ro  examine   every  public 
difference,  grievance  and  obftu6lion  of  juftice,  peace 
and  common  fafety  :  Let  them,  by  one  final  fentence 
{>f  all  or  the  greater  part  of  them,  end  all,  and   ^(:t 
x\it  wtiole  into  an  unanimous  pofture  and  order,  and 

iec 


2o6     HISTORY  OF  the  BAPTISTS 

let  them  fee  a  cenfure  upon  any  that  fliall  oppofe 
their  fent'cnce.  One  log,  without  your  gentle  help, 
I  cannot  ftir  ;  it  is  this :  How  fhall  the  minds  of  the 
towns  be  known  ?  How  Ihali  the  perfons  chofen  be 
called  ?  Time  and  place  appointed  in  any  expedi- 
tion ?  For  Hiyfelf  I  can  thankfully  embrace  the 
help  of  Mr.  Coddington  or  Mr.  Clarke,  joined  or 
apart,  but  how  many  are  there  who  will  attend  (as 
Gur  diftempers  are)  to  neither  ?  It  is,  gentlemen,  in 
the  power  of  the  body  to  require  the  help  of  any  of 
her  members,  and  both  King  and  Parliament  plead, 
that  in  extraordinary  cafes  they  have  been  forced  to 
extraordinary  ways  for  common  iafety.  Let  me  be 
friendly  conftrued,  if  (for  expedition)  i  am  bold 
to  be  too  too  forward  in  this  fervice,  and  to  fay, 
that  if  within  twenty  days  of  the  date  hereof,  you 
pleafe  to  fend  to  my  houfe,  at  Providence,  the  name 
of  him  whom  you  pleafe  to  nominate,  at  your  de- 
fire  I  w-'ill  acquaint  all  the  perfons  chofen  with 
place  and  time,  UBto  which  in  your  name  I  fliall 
ckfire  their  meeting  withrn  ten  days,  or  thereabouts, 
after  the  receipt  of  your  letter.  I  am  your  mourn- 
ful and  unvivorthy  Roger  Williams*." 

Thi$  addrels  had  fuch  cffed,  that  Mr.  Wil- 
liams was  received  to  a6l  as  Prefident  of  the 
colony,  till  their  eieflion  at  Warwick,  May  22, 
1649,  vJien  Mr.  John  Smith  was  chofen  Prefident, 
and  Thoiyas  Olney,  John  Sanford,  John  Clarke, 
and  Samuel  Gorton,  Affiftants -,  Philip  Sherman, 
recorder  J  Richard  Knight,  ferjeant,  and  John 
Clarke,  treafurcr.  Mr.  Williams  was  chofen  "  to  take 
**  a  view  of  tlie  records  delivered  into  the  Court  by 
**  Mr.  William  Dyre,"  And  they  made  a  law  that 
if  a  Prefident  fliould  be  elcded,  and  fliould  refufe 
to  fcrve,  he  fhould  be  fined  ten  pounds  j  and  if  an 

Affiftant 

*  Providence  Records. 


[1651.]       IN    NEV/ -EN  GLAND.      207 

Afliftant  refufed,  five  pounds.  Alio  "  ordered  that 
a  melTenger  be  fenc  to  Pumham  and  the  other  la- 
chem,  to  require  them  to  come  to  this  Court;  and 
that  letters  be  fent  to  Benedifl  Arnold  and  his  father, 
and  the  red  of  Pawtuxer,  about  their  lubjeding  to 
this  colony."  Mr.  Dyrc  again  prefented  his  com- 
plaints againft  Mr.  Coddington,  but  they  were  de- 
ferred. 

At  the  AfTcmbly  at  Newport,  May  23,  1650,  a 
frefli  order  was  fent  to  the  towns,  to  colledt  and 
pay  what  they  owed  to  Mr.  Williams  for  the  char- 
ter, within  twenty  days.  William  Arnold  and 
William  Carpenter,  inftead  of  fubmitting  to  the 
government  of  their  own  colony,  went  again  and 
entered  complaints  againft  fome  of  their  neighbours 
CO  the  Malfachufetts  rulers,  and  they  fent  a  citation 
to  them  to  come  and  anfwer  the  fame  in  their  courts, 
dated  from  Bofton,  June  20,  1650,  figned  by  Ed- 
ward Rawfon,  fecretary  f.  Such  obfauftors  of 
good  government  were  they  who  have  made  a  great: 
noife  in  the  world  about  the  diforders  of  Rhode- 
Ifland  colony  I  In  1651,  Mr.  Coddington  caufed  a 
terrible  difficulty  among  them,  as  will  be  feen  in  its 
place,  though  another  affair  muft  be  attended  to 
iirfl:. 


CHAP.     IV. 

An  Account  of  Mr.  Clarke  and  Mr, 
Holmes,  and  of  their  Sufferings  at 
Bofton  in  1651. 

IT  has  already  been  feen  that  Mr.  John  Clarke  was 
a  principal  indrumentin  procuring  Rhode-Ifiand 
for  a  people  who  were  j  erfccuted  elfewhere,  and  that 

he 
t  Providence  Record*. 


fo8    HISTOUt  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

he  was  the  firfl  religious  minifter  on  the  ifland,  and 
fcrviccable  alfo  in  their  civil  governmenc ;  yet  ail  this 
did  not  -prevent  his  being  nnofl  abufively  treated 
this  year  in  Bofton,  with  two  other  members  of  his 
church. 

The  bcft  accoufit  of  Mr.  Obadiah  Holmes  that  I 
have  fcen,  is  in  a  manufcript  which  he  left  to  his 
children,  that  a  gentleman  of  his  pofterity  has  fa- 
voured me  with  ;  an  extradb  of  which  I  will  give  in 
his  own  words.     Says  he, 

*'  First,  I  mull  remember  my  honored  parents, 
^ho  were  faithful  in  their  generation,  and  of  good 
report  among  men,  and  brought  up  their   children 
tenderly  and  honorably.     Three  fons  they  brought 
up  at  the  univerfity  in  Oxford ;    but  the   moft  of 
their  care  was  to  inform  and  inftruft   them  in  the 
fear  of  the  Lord  *,  and  to  that  end  gave  them  much 
good  counfel,  carrying  them  often  before  the  Lord 
by  earned  prayer  ;  but  I,  the  moft  rebellious  of  all, 
did  neither  hearken  to  counfel  nor  any  inftruftion, 
for  from  a  child  1  minded  nothing  but  folly  and  va* 
nity,  and  as  years  did  grow  on,  and  wifdom  fhould 
have  taken  place,  then  the  wifdom  I  had   was  wife 
to  do  evil,  but  to  do  well  had  no  knowIedge.-^As 
days  and  ftrength  incr&afed,  even  fo  did  my  tranfgref- 
fions,  fo  that  I  became  hardened  in  fin,  not  only  to 
be  drawn  into  it  by  others,  but  was  as   forward  to 
draw  others  into  evil  as  my  fellows— being  come  to 
that  height  of  wickednefs  that  I  did  think  it    belt 
when  I  could  do  the  moft   wickednefs,  and  began 
to  think  that  it  was  but  afoolifh  thing  to  talk   of 
God,  that  ihould  bring  man  to  judgment — Continu- 
ing in  fuch  a  courfe  for  four  or  five  years,  and  then 
began  to  bethink  what  counfel  my  dear  parents  had 
given  me,  many  a  time  vcith  tears  and  prayers ',  my 
rebellion  to  my  honored  parents  then  looked  me  in 

open 


[x65i.]      IN  NEW-ENGLAND.        ^09 

open  face,  and  my  dearrhother  being  fick,  it  Rruck 
to  me  my  diibbedientafts,  which  forced  me  to  con- 
ffAs  the  lame  to  her.  Atter  this  i  began  to  go  to 
hsar  the  word  preached,  but  every  Yvord  was  againil 
me,  and  left  me  without  hope  of  mercy  ;  and  lome- 
times  pafTing  over  a  field  called  the  Twenty  Acres, 
ftood  ftill  and  laid,  oh  !  that  I  might  iie  in  hell  buc 
fo  many  years  as  here  aregrafs!  Ic  would  have  an 
end.— Xhat  word  was  ev«r  before  mc,  the  wicked 
Jhali  be  turned  to  heU— where  the  'worm  dieth  noi^  ^c. 
And  yet  at  this  time  Satan  tells  me,  it  is  bed  to 
put  fuch  thoughts  out  of  mind,  aiid  take  pleafarc 
v/hile  thou  art  here,  and  return  to  thy  former  merry 
companions  and  friends  ;  which  I  did  for  a  time  j 
but  the  worm  in  the  confcience  did  ftiU  gnaw.  I 
went  to  hear  the  mofl-  noted  men  I  could,  but  found 
itftiil  againil  me  •,  yet  often  heard  them  lay,  I  mulfc 
repent  and  be  humbled,  and  mult  pray,  and  thea 
ihbuld  find  mercy  ;  but  mull  confefs  fins  and  forfake 
them  ;  which  brought  me  to  a  reiolution,  in  the 
molt  public  way  or  com*pany  I  could  find,  ever  fd 
to  do  ;  and  had  done  it  through  ignorance,  had  not 
R  friend  advifed  me  to  the  contrary,  and  that  upoa 
good  grounds.  Buc  he  alio  pu:  me  upon  prayer 
and  hearing.  I  then  fell  to  prayer  and  duties,  but 
found  no  reft  or  quiet  in  my  foul  5  for  then  Satan 
let  fly  at  me,  and  told  me,  it  was  too  late  to  return^ 
for  there  was  no  hope  for  me.  I  anfwer-ed  hirn,  andl 
did  inllance  fcveral  of  my  wicked  companions 
God  had  fhown  mercy  unto  a  little  before.  He  an- 
fwered,  remember  thou  fcorned,  mocked  and  derided 
them  5  yea  faying  the  devil  v/as  in  them,  they  were 
all  mad,  and  become  fools  -,  and  withal  he  told  me  X 
had  read  and  heard  that  there  was  a  fin  that  hever 
could  be  forgiven,  the  which  fin  I  had  ccmmitted- 
With  this  affauh  he  fooled  sne  a  long   time ;  evea 


2CO    HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

my   life  was  a  burden  to   me.     Oh !  the  knives, 
ropes,  trees,  coal-pits,  can  witnefs  the  many  cfcapes 
of  them,  as  one  in  a  moft  undone,  defperate  condi- 
tion, as  one  appointed  to  eternal  deftru^ion.     Th^ 
perplexity  of  mind  brought  me  to  great  weaknefs  ia 
body,  and  yet  for  eafe  and  comfort  I  turned  over 
every  (lone,  hearkened  to  all  my  acquaintance  and 
friends,  as  to  leave  off  my  old   ways,  and    all  my 
old  companions,  which  I  bad  done  before  ;  but  all 
this  while  I  never  confidered  fm  according  to   the 
true  nature  of  it,  as  being  loathfome  to  the   Lord, 
but  as  it  brought  judgment  upon  me  ;  yet   was    1 
fearful  to  fm,  and  began  to  love  to  read  the  fcrip- 
tures,  and  frequent    prayer  and  other   duties,  and. 
took    delight  among  profeffors    that  were  of  the 
ftridlcft  fort,  eafily  feeing  the  grofs  evil  and  danger 
of  the  formal  minifters  and  profefTors,  and  fo  that 
conformity  v/as  only  fupcrftinon  and   a  name  :  Yet 
for  all  that  1  had  no   reft  in  my  foul,  though  I  was 
in  a  manner  as  ftrift  as  any.     As  I  was  enlarged  in 
ibrrow   for    fin,    deep  in  humiliation,  enlarged  in 
prayer,  or  filled  with  tears,  my  comfort  came  in 
and  encreafed  ;  but  as  I  failed  in  them,   fo  my   for- 
rovvs  renewed  -,  and  when  I  looked  over  my    beft 
performances  found  them  full  of  fm.     Oh  !  then  the 
fears,  doubts  and  queftioning  of  my  own  eftatc  1  I 
judged  it  was  all  done  in  hypocrify,  which  fin    my 
ibul  did  then  abhor.     In  this  fad  and  doubtful  dare 
1  continued  very  long,  yea  many  yeai's.     And    al- 
though I  could  ipeak  comfortably  to  others,  yet  had 
often  much  difquiet  within  my  foul  -,  my   comforts 
were  according  to  my  enlargements.     Not  long  af- 
ter this  there  Vvas  in  me  a  great  love  to  the   Lord  j 
but  alas  1  I  was  deceived  by  my  own  heart,  and  the 
minifters  who  told  me  there  muft  be  fuch  and  fuch 
ajove  to  him.,  as  to  keep  to  him  in   duty,  and  to 

par: 


[i6si.]    ■    iN^  NEW-ENGLAND,     m 

part  with  all  foi-him,  but  they  left  me  fhort   of  urt- 
derftanding  him  as  I  flicJiuId,  and  my   felfifh  heart 
was  willing  to  love  him  or  part  with  all  for  him,  yea 
my  dear   honored  father,    brethren    and    friends, 
houfe  and  lands,  and  my  own    native  country,   for 
time,     and   to   avoid    thofe  popifli  relics  of  the 
bifliops,  and   that  filthy  rabble,    and   to  fcparatc 
from  them,  and  all  thofe  that   nnention  them  •,  and 
was  fully  known  in  my  own  country,  and  adventur- 
ed the  danger  of  the  feas  to  come  to  New- England, 
where  I  tried  all  things  in  feveral  churches,  and  for 
a  time  thought  I  had  made  a  good  choice  or  change : 
But  in  truth  it  little  differed  from  former  times,  and 
my  fpirit  was  like  a  wave  toffed  up   and  down,  as 
not  yet  come  to  dig  fo  deep  as  I  fliould,  or  to  confi- 
der  the  only  ground  of  a  well-grounded  hope,  which 
God   at  lafl  brought  me  to    confider,    which  is, 
his  own  love  to  poor  lofi   aan,  which  firji  was  in  his 
cmn  fecret  council  and  purpofe  before  man   waSy  and 
revealed  /#  man  in  his  time  ;  and  that  there  is  no  pre- 
parative neceffary  to  obtain  Chrift,  nor  any  thing  to 
deferve  that  love,  or  to  merit   tlie  fame.     And  no- 
thing could  ftay  or  fatisfy  my  foul  till  I  came  to  con- 
fider why,  when  and  upon  whom    he   laid  fm  and 
tranfgreflion,  namely,  on  the  Lord,  and  on  him  alone. 
And  looking  at  me  when  a  rebel,    an  enemy,  yea 
dead  \n  fin  and  trefpafifes,  yea  in  my  blood,  he  then 
faid,  live,  through  the  blood  of  Chrift  be  cleanfed, 
and  in  him  be  loved,  for  his  own  love  to  poor  man, 
and  that  the  eledion  may  obtain  it,  for   he  knows 
who  are  his ;  but  his  good  will  is  manifefted  before 
they  have  done  either  good  or  evil,  fo  that  neither 
good  forefeen  fhall  prevail,   nor  evil   original  or 
adual  Qiall  hinder,  but  that  free  grace  may  have  its 
free  courfe  j  but  manifeftcd  when  he  givcth  faith  to 
feelieve  the  promife  of  the  Father  in  giving  a  full 
E  e  3  '  difcharge 


312     HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS' 

difcharge  to  the  foul,  by  taking  full  fatisfaflion 
from  his  only  Son,  who  became  fin  for  us,  who  knew 
no  fin,  that  v/e  niight  be  made  the  righteoufnefs  of 
God  through  him  ;  and  fo  remiflion  and  free  par- 
don is  granted  forth,  tl^v^t  whofoever  believes  ia 
him  Ihiill  not  perllh,  but  have  everlafting  life  ;  and 
all  thole  thatfo  come  to  him  he  will  no  ways  caft 
away.  And  when  God  had  given  me  to  fee  in  any 
ineafure  this  love  of  his,  then  and  not  till  then 
could  I  give  over  working  for  life,  and  to  live  in 
■working.  But  at  laft  he  caufed  me  to  fay,  that 
from  life  I  mud  work,  and  then  all  my  former 
turnings  and  returnings  muft  come  to  nought,  yea 
al!  my  rigliteoufnefs  as  filthy  rags,  and  to  account 
all  as  dung,  fo  I  might  obtain  Chrift  •,  or  rather  thac 
I  might  be  accepted  by  him,  and  fo  removed  me 
from  the  covenant  of  works  to  the  covenant  of 
grace,, even  that  new  covenant  of  life  alone  by  him- 
I'elf,  who  paid  fodear  a  price,  as  to  lay  down  his  own 
blood  to  wafh,  cleanfe  and  purify  the  foul,  and  to 
redeeni  both  foul  and  body  to  fcrve  the  Lord  ;  and 
that  is  now  the  life  I  live  by  faith  in  the  Son  of 
God  ;  and  this  faith  caufes  works  of  faith,  or  ra- 
ther fruits  that  flow  from  that  root,  fo  that  now  love 
hath  conftrained  me  to  yield  myfelf  to  live  to  him, 
as  to  a  king  to  rule  me  by  his  holy*l£ws  and  com- 
rnandments,  and  as  to  an  only  prophet  to  teach  and 
tnftrufl  me,  both  to  know  and  to  do  his  holy  wiU, 
and  as  my  only  chief  prieft  to  offer  a  facritice  for 
nie,  which  he  did  even  for  all,  whereby  my  poor 
imperfeft  prayers  and  all  other  fervices  became  ac- 
cepted of  the  Father ;  and  this  love,  (lied  abroad  in. 
my  heart,  wrought  in  me  a  reftlefs  defire  to  know 
his  will,  that  I  might  fhew  forth  the  praifes  and 
glory  of  hinij  that  had  called  me  by  his  grace." 
^    '■  A? 


[i(55i.]      IN   NEW-ENGLAND.      ^13 

As  the  fentiments  of  the  ancient  Baptifls  in  this 
country  have  been  grofly  mifreprefented,  and  as 
Mr.  Holmes  was  no  Imali  fufferer  in  ihat  caule,  I 
thought  it  expedient  to  let  the  reader  thus  far 
hear  him  fpeak  for  hiinlelf,  or  tell  his  own  ex- 
perience and  ideas  about  the  nature  of  true  reli'^ 
gion.  When  he  firft  can:ie  to  this  land  he  joined 
with  thechuch  in  Salem,  with  whom  he  walked  fix 
or  fcven  years,  and  then  about  the  year  1645  was 
difmified  to  the  Congregational  church  in  Seaconck 
(Rehoboth)  newly  lectkd  there,  under  the  miniflry 
of  Mr.  Samuel  Newman;  and  he  continued  in  that 
relation  about  four  years,  till  an  unrighteous  a<5t, 
as  he  judged,  of  the  minifter  and  part  of  th^ 
church,  for  which  they  would  not  give  fatisfaflion, 
caufed  Mr.  Holmes  and  feveral  more  to  withdraw, 
and  fet  up  a  meeting  by  themklves,  and  being  con- 
vinced that  the  Baptift's  way  was  right,  a  number 
of  them  were  baptiied,  I  fuppofe  by  the  aforefaicl 
Mr.  Clarke,  for  they  joined  to  his  church.  After 
this  Mr.  Newman  pronounced  a  fentence  of  ex- 
"communication  againft  Mr.  Holmes,  upon  which 
he  and  two  more  were  prefented  to  the  General 
Court  at  Plymouth,  June  4,  1650,  where  they 
met  with  four  petitions  againft  them,  one  from  their 
own  town  with  thirty-five  hands  to  it,  one  from  the 
church  at  Taunton,  one  from  all  the  miniflers  but 
two  in  Plymouth  colony,  and  a  fourth  from  the 
Court  at  Bofton,  under  their  fecretaries  hand,  urg- 
ing Plymouth  rulers  to  fupprefs  them  fpeedily  -f. 

Here  we  may  obferve  the  great  difference  be- 
tween our  Plymouth  fathers,  and  theMaiTachufetts. 
With  all  thefe  ftimulations  to  feverity,  the  Court 
of  Plymouth  only  charged  them,  to  defifl  from  their 

practice, 

f.  Clarke's  Narrative,  p.  18,  25,    Plymouth  Records. 


%X4.      HISTORY  OF  tHfe  BAPTISTS 

ptAdlct^  which  others  had  taken  fuch  offence  at, 
undone  of  them  yielding  thereto,  the  others,  viz. 
Obadiah  Holmes  and  Jofeph  Tory,  were  bound 
liver  to  the  next  October  Court,  but  were  not  fo 
illuch  as  bound  to  their  good  behaviour,  nor  any 
Other  fureties  required,  only  they  were  bound  "  one 
"'  for  another  in  the  fum  of  ten  pounds  a  piece,"  for 
their  appearance  at  faid  Court. 

"  At  a  General  Court  holdcn  at  New-Plymouth 
the  fecond  of  Odober,  1650,  before  William  Brad- 
ford, gentleman.  Governor,  Thomas  Prince,  Wil- 
liam Collyare,  Gapt.  Miles  Stand:(h,  Timothy  Hc- 
therly,  William  Thomas,  John  Allen,  gentlemen, 
Afllftants,  [and  a  Houfe  of  Deputies.] 

Prefentment  by  the  Grand  Inqueft.    . 

O<5lober  2cond,  1650. 

*'  Wee  whofe  names  are  hecr  underwritten,  being 
the  grand  inquefi:,  doe  prefent  to  this  Court  John 
Hazell,  Mr.  Edward  Smith  and  his  wife,  Obadiah 
Holmes,  Jofeph  Tory  and  his  wife,  and  the  wife 
of  James  Man,  William  Deuellandhis  wife,  of  the 
towne  of  Rehoboth,  for  the  continuing  of  a  meet- 
ing uppon  the  Lord's-day  from  houfe  to  houfe,  con- 
trary to  the  order  of  this  Court,  enabled  June  12, 
1650.    Thomas  Roejnson, 

HENRYToMsoN,"&:c.tothenumberof  14  f. 

This  is  an  exad  copy  of  their  prefentment,  but 
no  fentencc  appears  upon  record  againft  them. 
How  different  is  this  from  the  actings  of  Boflon 
Court  the  next  year*!  For  on  July  19,  1651,  Mcf- 

ficurs 

i"  Plymouth  Records. 

•  Mr.  Hazel  wrote  to  his  coufin  Hubbard,  of  Newport,  June 
a^,,  1651,  that  they  were  then  threatened  with  a  fine  of  IDS.  a 
(iay  for  every  perfon  who  fet  up  any  other  meeting,  and  that 
^heir  abfsnce  from  .the  town  meeting -the  day  before  ihould 

l!rove 


[1651.]       m  NEW-ENGLAND.      ai^ 

fieurs  Clarke,  Holmes  and  Crand^l,  "  being  the- 
reprelentatives  of  the  church  in  Newport,  upon  the 
requeft  of  William  Witter,  of  Lynn,  arrived  there, 
he  being  a  brother  in  the  church,  who,  by  reafci^  of 
his  advanced  age,  could  not  undertake  io  great  a 
journey  as  to  vifit  the  church  §.'*  He  lived  about 
two  miles  out  of  town,  and  the  next  being  the 
Lord's-day,  they  concluded  to  fpend  it  in  religious 
worlhip  at  his  houfc  ;  and  Mr.  Clarke  fays,  *^  finding 
by  fad  experience,  that  the  hour  of  temptatiorA 
fpoken  of  v,?as  coming  upon  all  the  world  (in  a  mora 
eminent  way)  to  try  them  that  are  upon  the  earth,  I 
fell  upon  the  confideration  of  that  promife,  made 
to  thofe  that  keep  the  word  of  his  patience,  which 
prefent  thoughts,  while  in  confcience  toward  God, 
and  good  will  unto  his  faints,  I  was  imparting  t© 
my  companions  in  the  houfe  where  I  lodged,  and 
to  four  or  five  ftrangers  that  came  in  unexpeded 
after  1  had  begun,  opening  and  proving  what  is 
meant  by  the  hour  of  temptatios,  what  by  the  word 
of  his  patience,  and  their  keeping  it,  and  how  he 
that  hath  the  key  of  David  (being  the  promifer) 
will  keep  thofe  that  keep  the  word  of  his  patience 
from  the  hour  of  temptation  :  While  I  fay  1  was 
yet  fpeaking,  there  comes  into  the  houfe  where  we 
were  two  conftablcs,  who,  with  their  clamorous 
tongues,  made  an  interruption  in  my  difcourle,  and 
more  uncivilly  difturbed  us  than  the  purfuivants  of 
ehe  old  Eiiglilli  bilhops  were  vYont  to  do,  telling  us 

that 

prove  Goftly.  Samuel  Huhhard's  manufcript .  Mr.  Hazel  died 
foon  afcer,  near  Bofton  ;  the  reft  of  them  moved  to  NeH-poj t, 
where  I  find  that  Edward  Smith,  Jofeph  Torry,  James  Man 
and  William  Deuall,  were  admitted  freemen  JMay  17,  165V 
Smith  was  afterward  a  magiftrate,  and  Torry  raany  years  fe- 
cretary  of  the  colony,  as  well  as  a  teacher  in  Mr.  Ciarke'a 
church,  in  which  Mr.  Holmes  alfo  minifter«d  for  niany  years. 
S  Newport  church  papers. 


si6     HISTORY  OF  the  BAPTISTS 

that  they  were  come  with  authority  from  the  magi- 
ilrate  to  apprehend  us.  I  then  defired  to  fee  th^ 
authority  by  which  they  thus  proceeded,  whcreupori 
they  plucked  forth  their  warrant,  and  one  of  them 
with  a  trennibhng  hand  (as  conTcious  he  might  have: 
been  better  employed)  read  it  to  us  j  the  iubftance 
whereof  was  as  foUoweth  r 

^''  BT  'virtue  hereof ,  ycu  are  required  to  go  to  t'he 
houfe  of  William  Witter^  and  fo  to  fearcb  from  houfe 
to  hcufei  for -certain  erroneous  perfons^  being  Jlr angers, 
and  them  to  apprehend ^  andinfafe  cujiodyto  keep,  and 
to-incrrcw  morning  by  eight  o'clock  to  bring  before  me^ 

Robert  Bridges.'* 

"  When  he  had  read  the  warrant,  I  told  them, 
friends,  there  fhali  not  be,  I  truft,  the  lead  appear- 
ance of  a  refifting  of  that  authority  by  which  yoii 
come  unto  us  j  yet  I  tell  you,  that  by  virtue  hereof 
you  are  not  fo  ftriflly  tyed,  but  if  you  pleaie  you 
may  fuffer  us  to  make  an  end  of  what  we  have  be- 
gun, fo  may  you  be  witnefles  either  to  or  againft  the 
faith  and  order  vvhich  we  hold.  To  which  they  an- 
fwered  they  could  not  ;  then  faid  we,  notwithftand- 
ing  the  warrant,  or  any  thing  therein  contained,  you 
inay. — They  apprehended  us,  and  carried  us  away 
to  the  ale-houfe  or  ordinary,  where  at  dinner  one 
of  them  faid  unto  us,  gentlemen,  if  you  be  free  I 
will  carry  you  to  the  meeting  \  to  whom  it  was  re- 
plied, friend,  had  we  been  free  thereunto  we  had 
prevented  all  this,  neverthelcfs  we  are  in  thy  handy 
and  if  thou  wilt  carry  us  to  the  meeting,  thither  will 
we  go  J  to  which  he  anfwered,  then  will  I  carry  you 
;o  the  meeting  •,  to  this  we  replied,  if  thou  forcefl" 
us  unto  youraffembly,  then  fhall  we  be  conflrained 
to  declare  ourfeives,  that  we  cannot  liold  commu- 
nion with  them.  The  conftable  anfwered,  that  is 
nothing , to  me }  I  have  not  power  to  command  you 

to 


[i6st.]       IN    NEW-ENGLAND.-   217 

to  rpeak  when  you  come  there,  or  to  be  filent.  To 
this  I  again  replied,  fincc  we  have  heard  the  word 
of  falvacion  by  Jefus  Chrill,  we  have  been  taught, 
as  thofe  thaz j^rjl  trujted  in  Cbrijl,  to  be  obedient 
unto  him  both  byword  and  deed  j  wherefore  if  viC  be 
forced  to  your  meeting,  we  Ihall  declare  our  diffent 
from  yoH  both  by  word  and  gefture.  After  all  this, 
when  he  had  confulted  with  the  man  of  the  houfe, 
he  told  us  he  would  carry  us  to  the  meeting ;  fo  to 
their  meeting  we  were  brought,  while  they  were  at 
their  prayers,  and  uncovered  ;  and  at  my  firli  flep- 
ihg  over  the  threlhold  I  unveiled  myfelf,  civily  fa- 
luted  them,  and  turned  into  the  feat  I  was  appoint- 
ed to,  put  on  my  hat  again,  and  fat  down,  opened 
my  book,  and  fell  to  reading.  Mr.  Bridges  being 
troubled,  commanded  the  conftable  to  pluck  off 
our  hats,  which  he  did,  and  where  he  laid  mine 
there  I  let  it  lie,  until  their  prayers,  finging  and 
preaching  was  over ;  after  this  I  ftood  up,  and  ut- 
tered myfelf  in  thefe  words  following  :  I  defire  as  a 
ftranger  to  propcfe  a  few  things  to  this  congrega- 
tion, hoping  in  the  propofal  thereof  I  fhall  com- 
mend myfelf  to  your  confciences,  to  be  guided,  by 
that  wifdom  that  is  from  above,  which  being  pure 
is  alfo  peaceabl'e,  gentle,  and  eafy  to  be  entreated  ; 
and  therewith  made  a  flop,  expelling  if  the  Prince 
of  peace  had  been  amongthem,!  fhould  have  had  a 
fuitable  anfwer  of  peace  from  them. — Their  paftor 
•anfvvered,  we  will  have  no  objedlions  ifgainft  what 
is  delivered.  To  which!  anfwered,  I  am  not  about 
at  prefent  to  make  objedions  againft  what  is  deli- 
vered, but  as  by  my  gefture  at  my  coming  into 
your  aflembl}',  1  declared  my  difient  from  yon,  fo 
jeaft  that  fhould  prove  ofFenfive  unto  fome  wiiom  I 
•would  not  offend,  I  would  now  by  word  of  mouth 
decjare  the  groands,  which   are  thefe  :  Firfc,  from 


228    HISTORY  Of  THE  BAPTISTS 

%ht  confideration  we  are  ftrangers  each  toother,  and 
ib  Itrangers  to  each  other's  inward  (landing  with  re- 
fpeft  to  God,  and  fo  cannot  conj  in  and  z6t  in 
faith,  and  what  is  not  of  faith  is  fin.  And  in  the 
fecond  place,  I  could  not  judge  that  you  are  gatherr 
cd  together,  and  walk  according  to  the  vilible  or- 
der of  our  Lord  ;  which  when  1  had  declared,  Mr. 
Bridges  told  me,  I  had  done,  and  fpokp  that  for 
which  I  mult  anfwcr,  and  fo  commanded  filence. 
When  their  meeting  was  done,  the  officers  carried 
vs  again  to  the  ordinary,  where  being  watched  over 
that  night,  as  thieves  and  robbers,  we  were  the  next 
morning  carrFed  before  Mr.  Bridges,  who  made  our 
mittiiiuis,  and  km  us  to  the  prifon  atBollon  f;  the 
words  of  the  mittimus  arc  thefe  : 

To  t^e  Keeper  cf  the  Prifon  at  Bojlon. 
*'  By  virtue  hereof  you  are  required  to  take  in- 
to your  cuftody  from  the  con  liable  of  Lynn,  or  his 
Deputy,  the  bodies  of  John  Clarke,  Obadiah 
Irlolmes  and  John  Crandal,  and  them  to  keep  un- 
til the  next  county  Court  to  be  held  at  Bollon,  that 
they  may  then  and  there  anfwer  to  fuch  complaints 
as  may  be  alledged  againft  them  ;  for  being  taken 
by  aconftableata  private  meeting  atLynn, upon  the 
Lord's-day,  exercifmg  among  themfelvcs,  to  whom 
divers  of  the  town  repaired,  and  joined  with  them, 
and  that  in  the  time  of  the  public  exercife  of  the 
worfiiip  of  God  •,  as  alfo  for  ofFenfively  difturbing 
the  peace  of  the  congregition,  at  their  coming  into 
the  public  meeting  in  the  time  of  prayer  in  the  af- 
ternoon, nnd  for  faying  and  manifefting  that  the 
church  in  Lynn  was  not  conflituted  according  to  the 
order  of  our  Lord,  and  for  fuch  other  things  as  fliall 
be  alledged  againft  tfiem,  concerning   their  leduc- 

ing 

t  It  appears  that  fomehow  they  were  permitted  to  icfct 
?gain  on  Monday,  and  were  fen;  to  prifon  «n  Tuefday, 


[i65z.]       IN    NEW-ENGLAND.      ii^ 

ing  and  drawing  others  after  their  erroneous  judg- 
ments and  pratflices,  ana  for  fufpicioa  of  having  their 
hands  in  re-baptizing  of  one  or  more  among  us,  as 
alfo  for  negleding  or  refufing  to  put  in  fufficienc 
fecuricy  for  their  appearance  at  the  faid  Court. 
Hereof  fail  not   at   your  peril. 

22,  5,  51.  Robert  Bridges §." 

Om  July  31,  Mr.  Clarke  was  brought  before  the 
Court,  and  fined  twenty  pounds,  or  to  be  Well  whipt*, 
and  the  crimes  he  was  charged  with,  befide  what  is 
above  mentioned,  were,  that  he  met  again  the  nexc 
day  after  his  contempt,  as  they  call  it,  of  their  pub- 
lic worfhip,  "at  the  houfe  of  Wictersi  and  in  con^ 
"  tempt  of  authority,  being  th-en  in  the  cuilody  of 
*'  the  law,  did  tliere  adminifber  the  l^cramcnt  of 
**  the  Lord's  fupper  to  one  excommunicated  per- 
**  fon,  to  another  under  admonition,  and  to  a  third 
**  that  was  an  inhabitant  of  Lynn,  and  not  in  fel- 
"  lowfnip  with  any  church,  and  yet  upon  anfwer  iri 
'*  open  Court  did  affirm,  that  he  never  rc-baptized 
**  ^ny^'*  &c.  *  And,  fays  Mr.  Clarke,  "  none  were 
able  to  turn  to  the  law  of  God  or  nian  by  which  we 
were  condemned.  At  length  the  Governor  ftepped 
Up,  and  told  us  we  had  denied  infants  baptifm,  and 
being  fomewhat  tranfported^  told  me^  I  had  delerv- 
ied  death,  and  faid  he  would  not  have  fuch  tralH 
brought  into  their  jurifdiclion  ;  moreover  he  faid.i 
*'  you  go  up  and  dov/n^  and  fecfetly  infinuate  into 
*'  thofe  that  axe  weak,  but  you  cannot  maintain  it 
*'  before  our  minifters;  j^pu  may  try  and  difpute 
*'  with  them.*'  To  this  I  had  niuch  to  replyi  buc 
he  commanded  the  gaoler  to  take. us  away.  So  the 
next  morning,  having  Id  fair  an  opportunity,  I  made 
a  motion  to  the  Court  in  thefe  words  following : 

Ff2  Ta 

§  Clarke's  Narrative,  p.  i  — .( . 

•  Weal's Hiltory  of  Nev-EjigiJind^  vdi  1,  p;  jrf; 


izo     HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

^0  the  honorable  Court  ajjembkd  at  Bojlon. 

"  Whereas  it  pledied  this  honored  Court  yefter- 
day  to  condemn  the  faith  and  order  which  1  hold 
and  pradife  ;  and  after  you  had  palicd  your  fen- 
tcnce  upon  nic  for  it,  were  plealed  to  exprefs,  I 
could  not  maintain  the  fame  againft  your  miniiler?., 
and  thereupon  publicly  proffered  me  a  difpute  with 
them  :  Be  pleafed  by  tbefe  fcvr  lines  to  under- 
fland,  I  readily  accept  it,  and  therefore  defire  yovi 
would  appoint  the  time  when,  and  the  perfon  with 
whom,  in  that  public  place  v/here  I  was  condemned, 
I  might  with  freedom,  and  without  moleftation  of  the 
civil  power,  difpute  that  point  publicly,  where  I 
doubt  not  by  the  flrength  of  Chrift  to  make  it  good 
out  of  his  lad  will  and  teflamenr,  unto  which  no- 
thing is  to  be  added,  nor  from  vthich  nothing  is  to 
be  diminifhfd.  Thus  dcfiting  the  Father  of  lights 
to  fhine  forth,  and  by  his  power  :o  expel  the  dark* 
nef?,  I  remain  your  weil-wifher, 
From  the  prilon,  this  (,  6,  51.       John  Clarke. 

**  This  motion,  if  granted,  I  defire  might  be 
fubfcribed  by  their  Secretary's  hand,  as  an  a6l  of 
the  fame  Court  by  which  we  were  condemned  §." 

Tkis  was  prefented,  and  after  much  ado,  one  of 
the  magiftratcs  informed  Mr.  Clarke,  that  a  difpu- 
tation  was  granted  to  be  the  next  week,  but  on 
Ivlonday  their  minillers  came  together  and  made  no 
fmall  [lir  about  the  matter,  and  near  theclofe  of  the 
day  the  maglftrates  fent  for  Mr.  Clarke  into  their 
chamber,  and  queried  with  him  about  this  mat- 
ter, and  demanded  of  him  whether  he  would 
difpute  upon  the  things  contained  in  his  fen- 
icnce,  and  maintain  his  pradice,  "  for  faid  they, 
*'  the  Court  fentenced  you  not  for  your  judg' 
•'    ment:  and   confcience,   but   for  matter  of  ht\ 

*«  and 

§  Clarke's  Narrative,  p.  7. 


[x65i.]      IN  NEW-ENGLAND.        'zzt 

"  and  pr<i(flice."     To  which,  fays    Mr.  Clarke,  I 
replied,  "  you  fay   the  Courc  condemned  me  fo-r 
matter  of  fas5t  and   pradice  j  be  it  fo  -,  I  fay  thac 
matter  of  fatfl  and  pracS;ice  was  but    the   maniteRa- 
tion  of  my  judgment  and  confcience  ;  and    I  maka 
account,  that  man  is   void  of  judgment  and  con- 
fcience,  with  refped  unto  God,  that  hath  not  a  faft 
and  pradice  fuitable  thereunto.-— If   the  faith   anal 
order  which  I  profefs  do  ft  and  by  the  word  of  God, 
then  the  faith  and  order    which  you   profefs    muft; 
needs  fall  to  the  ground  ;   and  if  the  way  you  wallt^ 
in  remam,  then  the  way  that  I  walk  in  muft  vanifli 
away  ^  they  cannot  both  fland    together ;  to  which 
they  leemed  to  aiTcnti  therefore  I  toid    ihcin,  that 
if  they  pleafe  to  grant  the  motion  under  the  Secre* 
tary's  hand,  1  would  draw  up  the   faith   and    order 
which  I  hold,  as  the  fum   of  that  I  did  deliver  la 
open  Court,   in   three  or  four  conclufions,  vv'hich 
conclufions  I  vvill  fland    by    and  defend,  until    h^ 
whom  you  fliall  appoint  fliall  by   the  word  of  God 
remove  me  from  them ;  in  cafe  he  fliall  remove  me 
from  them,  then  the  difputation  is  at-an  end  :  Bul  if 
not,  then  I  defire  l.ke  liberty  by  the  word  of  God  to 
oppole  the  faith  and  order  which  he  and  you  profefs, 
thereby  to  try  whether  I  may  be  an    inftrumcnc   in 
the  hand  of  God   to  remove  you  from  the  fame. 
They  told  me  the  motion   was  very  fair,  and  the 
way  like  unto  a  difpurant,  faying,  becaule  the  mat- 
ter is  weighty,  and  we  defire  that  what  can,  maybe 
fpoken,-when    the  difputation   fliall   be,   theiefora 
would  we  take  a  longer  time. — So   I   returned  wyth 
my  keeper  to  prifon  again,  drew  up  the  conclufions, 
which  I  wasrefolved  through  the  frrengih  of  Chrifc 
to  (land  in  defence  of,  and  through  the  importunity 
of  one  of  the  magil}rates,the  next  morning  verv  early 
I  fliewed  them  to  him,  having  a  promifc  I  Hiould 

have 


222      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

have  my  motion  for  a  difpute  granted,  under  the  Se- 
cretary's hand.     The  conclufions  were  as  followeth* 

*'  The  teftimony  of  John  Clarke,  a  prifoner  of 
Jefus  Chrift  at  BoRon,  in  behalf  of  my  JLord,  and 
of  his  people,  is  as  followeth. 

"  1. 1  TESTIFY  tliat  Jefus  of  Nazareth,  whom  God 
hath  raifed  from  the  dead,  is  made  both  Lord  and 
Chrift  ;  this  Jefus  I  fay  is  the  Chrift,  in  Englifti,  the 
anointed  one,  hath  a  name  above  every  name  ;  he 
is  the  anointed  prieft,  none  to  or  with  him  in  point 
of  atonement  •,  the  anointed  prophet,  none  to  him 
in  point  of  inftruiftion  ;  the  anointed  King,  wlio  is 
gone  unto  his  Father  for  his  glorioOs  kingdom,  and 
Ihall  ere  long  return  again  ;  and  that  this  Jefus 
Chrift  is  alfo  the  Lord;  none  to  or  witlv  him  by 
way  of  comTT'andmg  aiid  ordering,  with  refpe(5t  to  the 
v/orftiip  of  God,  the  houftiold  of  faith,  which  be- 
ing purchafcd  with  his  blood  as  prieft,  inftrufled 
and  nourished  by  his  fpirit  as  prophet,  do  wait  in 
HIS  appointments  as  the  Lord,  in  hope  of  that 
glorious  kingdom  which  ftiall  ere  long  appear  §. 

2.    *'  I  TESTIFY 

%  To  confirm  this  article  Mr,  Clarke  fays,  "  if  the  nature  of 
the  commanding  and  ordering  power,  that  fuits  both  with  the 
worlhip  and  with  the  wor/hippers,  which  the  Father  of  fpirits 
feeks  for,  be  confidered,  which  is  not  a  law  of  a  carnal  com- 
Jnandment,  feconded  with  carnal  weapons,  or  an  arm  of  flefh  ; 
but  afpiritual  law,  as  the  apoftic  calls  it,  Rom.  viii.  «/aw  -fthe 
Jpitit  tf  life  from  Chrift  ftfus,  fpoken  unto,  or  rather  wriitch 
in  the  heart  of  a  Chriinan  by  the  fpirit  of  Chrift,  by  rea- 
fon  whereof  he  obeys  from  the  heart  readily,  willingly  and 
chearfuUy,  that  form  of  doftrine  which  is  engraven  and  laid  up 
therein,  Heb.  viii.  fc.  2  Cor.  iii.  3.  Rom  vi.  17.  If  this 
1  fay  be  confidered,  that  the  vvorfhip  is  fpiritual,  fuch  as  muit 
begin  in,  fpring  up  and  -M^  from,  the  heart  and  fpirit,  and  fo  , 
be  directed  to  the  Father  of  fpirits,  and  fo  the  commanding 
power  that  fuits  herewith  muftfpeak  to  the  heart  and  fpirit  of 
the  man,  then  is  there  no  Lord  in  this  matter  to  Chrift  Jefus, 
who  fpeaks  to  the  heart ;  nd  fpiiit,  and  his  words  are  as  com- 
mands 


[i65i.]       IN    NEW-ENGLAND.      223 

2.  "  I  TESTIFY  that  baptifm,  or  dipping  in  water, 
isoneof  the  commandments  of  this  Lord  J  cfusChrlft, 
and  that  a  vifible  believer  or  difciple  of  Chrift  Jefus 
(that  is  one  that  manifefteth  repentance  towards 
God,  and  faith  in  Jefus  Chrift)  is  the  only  perfon 
tliat  is  to  be  baptifed,  or  dipped  with  that  vifible 
baptifm,  or  dipping  of  Jefus  Chrift  in  water,  and 
alfo  that  vifible  perfon  that  is  to  walk  in  that  vifible 
order  of  his  houfe,  and  fo  to  wait  for  his  coming 
the  fecond  time,  in  the  form  of  a  Lord  and  King, 
with  his  glorious  kingdom  according  to  prcmiie, 
and  for  his  fending  down  in  the  time  of  his  ab- 
fence  the  Holy  Ghoft,  or  holy  Spirit  of  promife, 
and  all  this  according  to  the  laft  will  and  teftament 
of  that  living  Lord,  whofe  will  is  not  to  be  added 
X.0  or  taken  from  *. 

3.  "  I  TESTIFY  or  witnefs,  that  every  fuch  believer 
in  Chrift  Jefus,  that  waiteth  for  his  appearing,  may 
in  point  of  liberty,  yea  ought  in  point  of  duty,  to  im- 
prove that  talent  his  Lord  hath  given  unto  him,  and 
in  the  congregation  may  either  afli  for  information  to 
himfelf  i  or  if  he  can,  may  fpeak  by  way  of  prophefy 
for  the  edification,  exhortation  and  comfort  of  the 

whole ; 

itiands  frorn  the  head  to  the  members,  which  con\'ey  fpirit  and 
life  to  obey  them,  by  reafon  of  which  his  commands  are  not 
grievous,  for  where  the  fpirit  of  the  Lord  is  there  is  liberty, 
&c. — 2  Cor.  iii.  17,  18."     p.  48,  49. 

•  To  confirm  the  firft  part  of  this  article  Mr,  Clarke  fays, 
**  ahhougli  there  be  frequent  mention  made  of  that  appoirrt- 
"  ment  of  Chriitin  his  laft  will  and  teftament,  ,yet  it  is  never 
*'  exprefled  by  the  word  that  may  be  rendered  rantijm,  or 
"  fprinkling.  but  by  the  word  that  is  rendered  baptifm,  or  dip-' 
*' ping."  To  which  he  adds  many  proofs,  p.  50  —  52.  The 
other  part,  which  concerns  the  fubjefls  of  baptifm,  he  confirms 
by  the  apofl!es  commiiTion,  and  by  their  pra£licc,  ?.nd  notes  in 
particular,  that  on  the  day  of  Pentecoft  they  baptifed  none  but 
fuch  as  were  called,  gladly  received  his  'wordy  wcje  e.ddid and  (onii- 
nuedin  the  a^fllss  do^rint  and  fillotijcjljij),  &c,  p.  5^. 


ft24      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

V;>holc ',  and  oiU  of  the  congregation  at  all  rimes, 
\ipon  all  occafions,  and  in  all  places,  as  far  as  the 
jurifdidlion  of  his  Lord  extends,  may,  yea  ought  to 
walk  as  a  child  of  light,  juftifying  wifdom  with  his 
ways-,  and  reproving  folly,  with  the  unfruitful  works 
thereof,  provided  all  this  be  Ihown  out  of  a  good 
converfaticn,  as  James  fpeaks  with  meeknefs  of  wil- 
dom. 

4.  *^  1  TESTtFV  that  no  fach  believer  or  fervant 
c^f  Chrift  Jefus  hath  liberty,  much  lefs  authority, 
from  his  Lord,  to  fmite  his  fellow  fervant,  nor  yet 
with  outward  force,  of  arm  of  flefh,  to  conRrain,  or 
rellrain  his  Confciencc,  no  nor  yet  his  outward  man 
for  confcience  fake,  or  worfnip  of  his  God,  where 
injury  is  not  offered  to  t^ie  perfon,  name  or  eflate  of 
others,  every  man  being  fuch  as  ihall  appear  before 
ihe  judgment  feat  of  ChriO:,  and  mufl:  give  an  ac- 
count ot  hisnfelf  to  God,  and  therefore  ought  to 
be  fully  perfuaded  in  his  own  mind  for  what  he 
Vindertakes,  becaufe  he  that  doubteth  i-s  damned  if 
fie  eat,  and  fo  a'lfo  if  he  aft,  becaufe  he  doth  not  eat 
t-T  aft  in  faith,  and  what  is  nor  of  taith  is  fin  *.'* 

\Vk£n  Mr.  Cla-rke  had  thus  freely  given  them  his 
teflimcny,  inftead  of  openly  and  fairly  meeting  him 
as  they  had  talked  of,  to  vindicate  their  proceedmgs, 
ihe  ne^xt  news  that  he  hears  from  them  is  this  : 
To  the  Keeper  -cf  the  Prifon. 

*'  Bv  virtue  hereof  you  are  to  releafe  and  ^ct  at  li*- 
berty  t^e  body  of  Mr.  John  Clarke,  and  this  fliall 
be  your  dilchargefor  fo  doing.  Given  under  my 
liand  the  nth  cf  the  6ch  month,   1651. 

William  Hibbins§." 

Great  expeftations  had  been  raifed  in  the  coun- 
try of  hearing  thefe  points  difputed,  and  Mr.  Clarke 

knowing 

*  Narrative,  p.  9,  10. 

%  Narriti^ufy  p.  lo.  Four  ycars  afcer  Hibbins's  wife  v.at 
ivi-nneiil  few  a  witch»  '^ 


[1651.]      IN    NEW-ENGLAND.      225 

knowing  well  how  they  would  try  to  turn  all  the 
bUme  upon  him,  immediately  drew  up  the  follow- 
ing addrefs. 

'■''  Whereas  through  the  indu'gency  of  tender 
hearted  friends,  without  my  confenc,  and  contrary 
to  my  judgment,  the  fentence  and  condemnation  of 
the  Court  at  Bofton  (as  is  reported)  have  been  ful- 
ly fatisfied  on  my  behalf,  and  thereupon  a  warrant 
hath  been  procured,  by  which  I  am  lecluded  the 
place  of  my  imprifonment,  by  reafon  whereof  I  fee 
no  other  call  for  prefent  but  to  my  habitation,  and 
to  thofe  near  relations  which  God  hath  given  me 
there  ;  yet  left  the  caufe  fhould  hereby  fufier,  which 
I  profels  is  Chrift's,  I  would  hereby  fignify,  that  if 
yet  it  fhail  pleafe  the  honored  magiilrates,  or  Gene- 
ral Court  of  this  colony,  to  grant  my  former  requeft 
under  their  Secretary's  hand,  I  fhall  chearfully  em- 
brace it,  and  upon  your  motion  fnaii,  through  the 
help  of  God,  come  from  the  ifland  to  attend  it,  and 
hereunto  I  have  fubfcribed  my  name, 

nth  6,  51.  John  Clarice." 

This  was  the  next  morning  feat  to  the  magiftrates, 
who  were  met  at  the  commencement  at  Cam-bridge, 
upon  which  it  was  noifed  abroad  that  the  motion 
was  granted,  and  that  Mr.  Cotton  was  to  be  the 
man,  and  fays  Mr.  Clarke,  "  bcft  of  all  approved 
*'  of  by  myfeiffor  that  fame  purpofe,  he  being  the 
*'  inventor  and  fupporter  of  that  way  in  thefe  pans 
*'  wherein  they  walk."  But  a  little  before  their 
lecture  the  next  Thurfday  he  received  the  roilow- 
ing  paper  : 

Mr.  John  Clarh^ 

"  We  conceive  you  have  mifreprefented   the  Qo- 

vernor's  fpeech,  in  faying  you  were  challenged  to  dif- 

pute  with  fome  of  our  elders,  whereas  it  was  plainr 

ly  cxprefled,  that  if  you  would  confer  with  any  of 

G  g  thenij 


tf2^      HISTORY  or  the  B  A  P T I  ST 3 

them,  they  were  able  to  faclsfy  you,  neither  were 
you  able  to  maintain  your  pradice  to  them  by  the 
word  of  God,  all  which  we  intended  for  your  infor- 
mation and  conviction  privately  ;  neither  were  you 
enjoined  to  \vhat  you  were  then  counfelled  unto  •, 
nevertheleis  if  you  are  forward  to  difpute,  and  tha-t 
you  v;ill  move  it  yourfelf  to  the  Court,  or  n'lagi- 
flrates  about  Bofton,  we  fliall  cake  order  to  appoint 
one  who  will  be  ready  to  anlwer  your  motion,  you 
keeping  dole  to  the  queftions  to  be  propounded  by 
yourfelf,  and  a  moderator  fliall  be  appoinicd  alfo  to 
attend  upon  that  fervice ;  and  whereas  you  defire 
you  might  be  free  in  your  difpute,  keeping  clofe  to  . 
the  points  to  be  difputed  on^  without  incurring 
damage  by  the  civil  juftice,  obferving  what  hath 
been  before  written,  it  is  granted  j  the  day  may  be 
agreed,  if  you  yield  the  premifes. 

loHN  Endicott,  Governor, 
Thomas  Dudley,  Dep.  Governor, 
Richard  Bellingham, 
William  Hibbins, 
Increase  Nowel." 
iith-f  of  the  6th,    1651. 
•'  My  anfwer  followeth  fuperfcribed. 
To  the  honored    Governor   of  the   Maffachufettg, 
and  the  reft  of  that  honorable  Society,  thefe  pvt- 
fent. 

JVorthy  Senators^ 
*'  I  received  a  writing,  fubfcribed  with  five  of 
youfiiands,  by  way  of  anfwer  to  a   twice   repeated 
motion  of  mine  before    you,  which    was  grounded 
as  I  conceive  fufficiently  upon  the  Governor's  words 
in  open  Court,  which  writing  of  yours  doth  no  way 
anfv/er  my  expeflation,  nor  yet  that    motion  which 
I  made  j  and  whereas  (waving  that  grounded    mo- 
tion) 
t  tt  fcsras  this  fhould  be  the  12th, 


Xi€5i.]        m    NEW-'ENGLAN'D.      2-27 

tion)  you  are  pleafed  to  intimate,  that  if  I  were 
forv/ard  to  difpute,  and  would  move  ic  myfelf  to 
the  Court,  or  magiftrates  about  Boflon,  you  would 
appoint  one  to  anfwer  my  motion,  &c.  be  pleafed 
to  underhand,  that  although  1  am  not  backward  to 
maintain  the  faith  and  order  of  my  Lord,  the  King 
of  faints,  for  which  I  have  been  fentenced,  yet  am 
I  not  in  luch  a  way  fo  forward  to  difpute,  or  move 
therein,  left:  inconvenience  fliould  thereby  arife  ; 
I  fnall  rather  once  more  repeat  my  former  motion^ 
which  if  itfhall  pleafe  the  honored  General.Court  Co 
accept,  and  under  their  fecretany's  hand  fhall  grant 
a  free  difpute,  without  moleftation  or  interruption, 
I  fhall  be  well  fatisfied  therewith -,  that  what  is  paft- 
I  fhall  forget,  and  upon  your  motion  fliall  attenq  it; 
thus  dcfiring  the  father  of  mercies  not  to  lay  that 
evil  to  your  charge,    I  remain  your  well  -wifher, 

John  Clarke  -f.'* 

From   Prifon  this  14,   6,  gi. 

I  HAVE  tranfcribed  the  whole  of  thefe  letters  with 
great  care,  to  give  the  reader  a  fair  opportunity  to 
judge  for  himfelf,  whether  thofe  rulers  and  mi- 
Piifters  were  not  afraid  of  the  light,  though  they 
pretended  the  contrary  -,  for  they  knev/  that  they  had 
then  laws  in  force  to  punifli  any  man  who  (liould 
difpute  againfl;  infant  baptifm,  as  well  as  other  of 
their  ways,  and  what  they  now  fent  was  no  a6t  of 
Court,  but  onlya  writing  from  fome  of  their  rulers 
met  at  cemmencement  j  and  Mr.  Clarke  fays,  it  v.'as 
in  Mr.  Cotton's  hand  writing,  by  which  theylhrould 
fain  have  flopped  Mr.  Clarke's  m.outh,  or  elfe  have 
drawn  him  again  under  the  lafh  of  their  lav/s.  This 
he  fays  gave  ground  for  others  to  conclude,  "  that 
•■^  the  utmofl:  they  can  fay  for  themfelves,  and  to 
*'  flop  the  mouth  of  I>im  that  is  contrary  miaded» 
G  g  2  **  Jles 

f  Narra4ive,  .P-  11 — IJ" 


228      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

"  lies  in  the  fword  and  power  of  the  magiflrate, 
*^'  which,  although  it  be  a  good  ordinance  of  God 
"  in  this  prefent  evil  world  to  reftrain  the  oppref- 
"  for,  and  to  let  the  opprefTed  go  free,  and  fo  ap- 
"  proved  and  owned  by  Chrift  and  all  true  Chri- 
*'  (tians,  in  cafe  of  v/rong  and  wicked  lewdnefs — yet 
"  was  it  never  appointed  by  Chriil:  (to  v^hom  all 
"  power,  not  only  in  earth,  but  alfo  in  heaven,  is 
'*  committed,  and  by  whom  all  earthly  powers  are  to 
*'  be  judged  -,  1  fay  it  was  never  appointed  by 
"  Chrifl;)  to  inform  and  redlify  the  miads  and  con- 
*'  Iciences  of  men  in  the  worfliip  of  God,  in'  that 
"  great  myflery  of  godiinels,  and  in  thofe  myftical 
"  matters  concerning  the  kingdom  of  Chrift,  that 
*•*  being  a  matter  that  only  belongs  to  the  holy  fpiric 
*V  of  promife,  and  to  the  fword  of  that  fpirir, 
"  which  is  the  word  (not  of  man,  but)  of  God, 
*'  to  effefl,  much^  lefs  to  conform  their  outward 
"  man  contrary  to  their  minds  and  confciences  in 
"  the  worfhip  of  God';  and  therefore  that  fword 
*'  and  power  ought  to  take  heed  how  they  med- 
"  die  herein,  lell  they  attempt  to  take  the  place 
*'  and  enter  upon  the  throne  and  kingdom  of 
':'  Christ  §." 

Mr.  Crandal,  who  was  fined  five  pounds,  only 
for  being  with  the  others,  was  releafed  upon  promile 
of  appearing  at  their  next  Court  (though  they 
did  nor  let  him  know  when  it  was,  till  it  was  over, 
and  thfy  exafted  the  fine  of  the  keeper)  and  he  wilhi 
Mr.  Clarke  returned  home.  Mr.  Holmes  was  kept 
in  prifon  till  their  Court  met  in  the  beginning  of 
September,  and  then,  after  their  public  ledlure  in 
Jjofton,  the  fenterxre  of  Court  was  executed  upon 
him;  a  particular  account  of  which  we  hav«  v/ritten 
•yvich  his  own  hand,  as  follows  : 

{^  Untq 

f  '''"■■"■rative,  p.  i;,  14. 


[1651.]       IN  NEW-EN  GLAND.        22<^ 

*•  U.VTO  the  well  beloved  brethren,  John  Spiif- 
bury,  William  Kiffen,  and  the  rell  that  in  Londoa 
iland  faft  in  the  faith,  and  continue  to  walk  fted- 
faftly  in  that  order  of  the  gofpel  which  wa3  once 
delivered  unto  the  faints  by  Jelus  Chrift  :  Obadiah 
Holmes,  an  unworthy  witnefs  that  Jefus  is  the 
Lord,  and  of  late  a  prifoner  for  Jefus  fake  at 
Bollon,  fendeth  greeting. 

Decrly  Beloved  and  longed  after ^ 
'*  My  heart's  defire  is  to  hear  from  you,  and  to 
hear  that  you  grow  in  grace,  and  in  the  knowledge 
of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jefus  Chrift,  and  that  your 
love  to  him,  and  one  unto  another,  as  he  hath  givea 
commandment,  aboundeth,  would  be  the  very  joy 
and  great  rejoicing  of  my  foul  and  fpirir.     Had  I  not 
l^een  prevented  by  my  beloved   brethren  of  Provi- 
dence, who  have  wrote  unto  you,  wherein  you  have 
my  mind  at  Urge  ;  and  alfo  by  our  beloved  brother 
Clarke,  of  Rhode-lfland,  who  may,  if  God  permit, 
fee  you,  and  fpeak  with  you  m.outh  to  mouth,  I  hsd 
here  declared  myfelf  in  chat  matter,   but  now  I  for- 
bear-, and  becaufe  I  have   an    experimental    know- 
ledge in  myfelf,  that  in  members  of  the  fame  body, 
v^hile  it  (lands   in  union  with   tl^e  head,  there   is  a 
fympathizing  fpirit,  which  pafTcth  through,  and  alfc 
remaineth  in  each  particular,  fo  that  o.ne    member 
can  neither  mourn  nor  rejoice,  but  all  the  memberi. 
are  ready  to  mourn  and  rejoice  with  it ;  I   fhal!   th." 
rather  impart  unto  you  fome  dealings  which 'J  have 
had  therein  from  thefons  of  men,  and  the  graeiou; 
f'jpporcs  which  I  have  had  from  the  Son  of  God,  my 
Lord  and  yours,   that  fo  like  members  you    might 
rejoice  with  me,  and  might  be  encouraged,    by  th( 
fame  experiment  of  his  tender  m.ercies,  to  fearnonr 
of  thofe   things  which  you  fhall    fuffer  for  Jefu 
fake.     It  pleufedvthe  Father  of  lights.,  after  a  lor^; 

continuance 


2SO      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

continuance  of  mine  in  death  and  darknefs,  to  cau-fe 
life  and  immortality  to  be  brought  to  light  in  my 
foul,  andaifoto  caule  me  to  fee  that  this  life  was  by 
the  death  of  his  Sun,  in  that  hour  and  power  of 
darknefs  procured,  which  wrought  in  my  heart  a 
r-edlefs  define  to  know  what  the  Lord,  who  had  (o 
dearly  bought  me,  would  have  me  to  do,  and  find- 
ing that  it  was  his  laft  will  (to  which  none  is  to  add, 
snd  from  which  none  is  to  detrad)  that  they  which 
33ad  faith  in  hi5  death  for  life,  ihould  yield  up  them- 
fclves  to  hold  forth  a  lively  confimilitude  or  likenefs 
unto  his  death,  burial  and  refurredlion,  by  that  ordi- 
nance of  baptifm,  I  readily  yielded  ther£to,  being  by 
love  conftrained  to  follow  the  Lamb  (that  takes 
away  the  fins  of  the  world)  whitherfoever  he  goes. 
i  had  no  fooner  feparated  from  their  afiemblies,  and 
from  communion  with  them  in  their  v/orlhip  of  God, 
and  thus  vifibly  put  on  Chrift,  being  refolved  alone 
to  attend  upon  him,  and  to  fubmit  to  his  will,  but 
immediately  the  adverfary  call  out  a  flood  againft 
i]s,  and  ftirred  up  the  fpirits  of  men  to  prefent  my- 
fclf  and  two  more  to  Plymouth  Court,  where  we 
met  with  four  petitions  againft:  our  whole  company 
to  take  fome  fpeedy  courfc  to  iupprefs  us ;  one  from 
our  own  plantation,  xAih  ^§  hands  to  it ;  one  from 
the  church,  as  they  call  it,  at  Taunton.;  one  from 
all  the  miniilers  in  our  colony,  except  two,  if  I  mif- 
fake  not,  and  one  from  the  Court  at  Bofton,  in  tlie 
Maffachufetts,  under  their  Secretary's  hand  -,  where- 
upon the  Court  ftraitly  chargeth  us  to  defift,  and 
neither  to  ofdain  ofBcers,  nor  to  baptize,  nor  to 
break  bread  together,  nor  yet  to  meet  upon  the 
iirft  day  of  the  week  ;  and  having  received  thefe 
ftrait  charges,  one  of  the  three  difcovers  the  fandj 
foundation  upon  which  he  flood,  who,  when  th  r 
^od  came  and  the  wind  blew,  fell,  yet  it  pleafec 

thf 


[1651.]       IN    NEY/-ENGLAND.      2^3 

the  Father  of  mercies  (to  whom  be  the  praife)  to  givT: 
lis  ftrength  to  (land,  and  to  tell  ihe-m  ic  was  better  tQ 
obey  God  than  man ;  and  luch  was  the  grace 
of  our  God  to  us-ward,  that  though  v/c  were  had 
from  Court  to  Court,  yet  were  we  firmly  refolved  tQ 
keep  clofc  to  the  rule,  and  to  obey  the  voice  of  our 
Lord,  come  what  v/ill  come. 

'^  Not  long  after  thefe  troubles  I  came  upon  occa- 
fion  of  bufinefs  into  the  colony  of  the  Maffachuletts, 
with  two  other  brethren,  as  brother  Clarke  being 
one  of  the  two  can  inform  you,  where  we  three 
were  apprehended,  carried  to  Bofton,  and  fo  to  th<; 
Court,  and  were  all  fentenced  ;  what  they  laid  to  my 
charge,  you  may  here  read  in  my  lentence -f-,  upon 

the 

••  t  The  fenteme  pf  Qiadlah  Holmes,  cf  Seaconk,  the  3 1/  cf  th: 
^th  m.  165I. 
"  Forafmuch  as  you  Obadiah  Holmes,  being  come  into  this 
jurifditlion  about  the  2 1  oftheijm-  did  meet  at  one  Williaiti 
Witter's  houfe,  at  Lynn,  and  did  here  privately  (and  at  other 
times,  being  an  excommunicate  perfoa,  did  taJie  upon  you  to 
preach  and  baptize)  upon  the  Lord's  day,  or  other  days,  and 
being  taken  then  by  the  conftable,  and  coming  afterward  to  tire 
affembly  at  Lynn,  did,  in  difrefpeft  to  the  ordinance  cf  God 
and  his  worftiip,  keep  on  your  hac,  the  paftor  being  in  prayer, 
infomuch  that  you  ivould  not  give  reverence  in  vailing  your  hat, 
till  it  was  forced  offyour  head,  to  the  difturbance  of  the  contTe- 
gation,  and  profeffing  againft  the  inltitution  of  the  church,  as 
not  being  according  to  the  gofpel  of  Jefus  Ghrift  ;  and  that  you 
the  faid  Obadiah  Holmes  did  upon  the  day  following  meet 
again  at  the  faid  V/iliiam  Wkter's,  in  contempt  to  authority, 
you  being  then  in  the  cuflody  of  the  law,  and  did  there  receive 
the  facrament,  being  excommunicate,  and  that  you  did  bap- 
tize fuch  as  were  baptized  before,  and  thereby  did  necefTarily 
deny  the  baptifm  chat  was  before  adminiftered  to  be  baptifm,  the 
churches  no  churches,  jmd  alfo  other  ordinances,  and  miniRerS;. 
as  if  all  were  a  nullity  ;  and  alfo  did  deny  the  lawfulnefs  of 
baptizing  of  infants  ;  and  all  this  tends  to  the  difhcnor  of  God, 
the  defpifing  the  ordinances  of  God  amongusy  the  peace  of  the 
chtirclres,  aud  feducing  thefubjefls  of  this  commonweaUh  from 

ihe 


2^2     HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTJSTS 

the  pronouncing  of  which,  as  I  went  from  the  bar, 
I  exprefied  myfelf  in  thefe  words  :  I  blefs  God,  I  am 
counted  worthy  to  fiiffer  for  the  name  of  Jefus. 
"Whereepon  John  Wilfon  (their  paftor,  as  they  call 
him)  ftruck  me  before  the  judgment  feat,  and  curf- 
cd  me,  faying,  the  curfe  of  God  or  Jcfus  go  with 
thee  §  •,  fo  we  were  carried  to  the  prifon,  where  not 
long  after  I  was  deprived  of  my  two  loving  friends, 
at  whofe  departure  the  adverfary  ftept  in,  took-liold 
of  my  fpirit,  and  troubled  me  for  the  fpace  of  an 
hour,  and  then  the  Lord  came  in,  and  fweetly  re- 
lieved mcj-'caufing  to  look  to  himfelf,  fo  was  1  ftay- 
ed,  and  refrelhed  in  the  thoughts  of  my  God  ;  and 
although  during  the  time  of  my  imprifonnsent  the 
tempter  was  bufy,  yet  it  pleafed  God  fo  to  ftand  at 
my  right  hand,  that  the  motions  were  but  fudden, 
and  fo  vanifhed  away  ;  and  although  there  were 
that  would  have  paid  the  money  if  1  would  ac- 
cept it,  yet  I  durft  not  accept  of  deliverance 
in  fuch  a  way,  and  therefore  my  anfwer  to  them 
was,  that  although  I  would  acknowledge  their 
love  to  a  cup  of  cold  water,  yet  could  I  not 
thank  them  for  their  money,  if  they  fhould  pay  it. 
So  the  Court  drew  near,  and  the  night  before  I 
fhould  fuffer  according  to  my  fentence,  it  pleafed 
God  I  relied  and  flept  quietly  j    in  the  morning  my 

riicrnds 

the  truth  of  the  gofpel  of  Jefus  Chrift,  asd  perverting  the  ftrait 
wr.ys  of  the  Lord,  the  Court  doth  fire  you  30  pounds,  to  be 
paid,,  or  fufficient  fureties  that  the  faid  fum  Ihall  be  paid  by  the 
iirft  day  of  the  next  Court  of  Affiftants,  or  elfeto  be  well  whipt^ 
»nd  that  you  fhall  remain  in  prifon  till  it  be  paid,  or  fecurity 
given  in  for  it.     By  the  Cfiurt,  Increase   Novvell." 

§  "Mr.  Wilfon  is  reprcferited  by  hii  cotcmporaries  as  one  of 
"  the  moft  humble,  pious  and  benevolent  men  of  the  age." 
Majf&ihufetts  Hiftorj,  voX.  1,  p.  258.  But  when  that  darling 
point,  infant  fprinkling,  was  in  danger,  fee  how  it  makes  she 
moft  beia£:voknt  ad  hke  cruel  porfecucors  ! 


[i<$5i0       i}^    NEW-ENGLAND.       233 

friends  come  to  vifit  me,  defiring  me  to  take  the  rc» 
frefhment  of  wine,  and  other  comforts  ;  but  my  refo- 
lution  was  not  to  drink  wine,  nof  (Irong  drin,-;  that 
day  until  my  punifhment  was  over:  and  the  reafoii 
was,  leil  in  cafe  I  had  more  flrength,  courage  and 
boldnefs  than  ordinarily  cuuld  be  expelled,  the  world 
fhould  either  fay  he  is  drunk  wiih  new  wine,  or  elfe 
that  the  comforc  and  ftrengih  ot  the  creature  hath  car- 
ried him  through;  but  my  courfe  was  this  :  I  defiicd 
brother  John  Hazel  to  bear  my  friend'  company, and 
I  betook  myfelf  to  my  chamber,  where  I  might  com- 
tnunicate  with  my  God,  commit  m3fell  to  him,  and 
beg  (Irength  from  him.  I  had  no  fooner  fequeflred 
myfelf,  and  come  into  mychamber,  but  Satan  lets  fly 
at  me,  faying,  Reraem  er  thyfelf,  thy  birth,  breeding, 
and  friends,  thy  wife,  children,  name  and  credit :  but 
as  this  was  fudden,  fo  there  came  in  fjveQxly  from  the 
Lord  as  fudden  an  anfwer,  'Tis  for  my  Lord,  I  muit 
not  deny  him  before  the  fons  of  men  (for  that  were 
to  fet  mep  above  him)  but  rather  loofe  all,  yea  wife, 
children,  and  mine  own  life  alfo.  To  this  the  temp- 
ter replies.  Oh  but  that  is  the  queftion,  is  it  for  him  ^ 
and  for  him  alone  ?  is  it  not  rather  for  thy  own,  or 
fome  other's  fake  ?  thou  haft  fo  profeffed  and  pratil- 
ed,  and  now  art  loth  to  deny  it ;  is  not  pride  and  felf 
in  the  bottom  ?  Surely  this  temptation  wa^  ll:rt)ng,  and 
thereupon  I  made  dilligent  fearch  after  the  raauer,  as 
formerly  I  had  done,  and  after  a  v/hile  there  was  evca 
as  it  had  been  a  voice  from  heaven  ia  my  very  ibul, 
bearing  witnefs  with  my  confcience,  that  it  was  not 
for  any  man's  cafe  or  fake  in  this  world,  that  fo  I  h-'d 
profefTed  and  pra£^ifed,  but  for  my  Lord's  cafe  an^' 
fake,and  for  him  alone  ;  whereupon  my  fpirit  was  much 
rcfrefhv  ;  as  alfo  in  the  confideraiion  of  thefe  thrc-e 
fcriptures,  which  fpeak  on  this  wife,  ff'^/.w  jhall  lay 
(Xny  thing  to  tht  charge  of^  Coas  eie^  ?  A^ibou-yh  I 


234    HISTORY  of  the  BAPTISTS 

•walk  through  the  valley  and  JJmdow  of  death  I  uifl 
fear  no  evil,  thy  rod  and  thy  jlaff  they  /hall  coT>ifort 
me.  And  he  that  continueth  to  the  end,  the  famt 
fhall  he  faved. 

But  then  came  In  the  confideration  of  the  weak- 
nefs  of  the  flefli  to  bear  the  (Irokes  of  a  whip, though 
the  fpint  was  willing,  and  thereupon  I  was  caufed  to 
pray  earneftly  unto  the  Lord,  that  he  would  be  pleaf- 
ed  lo    oive  me  a  fpirit  of  courage  and  boldnefs,    a 
tongue  to  (peak  for  him,  and  ftrength  of  body  to  fuf- 
fer   for   his  fake,   and  not  to  fhrink  or    yield  to   the 
ftrokcs,  or  ftied  tears,  left  the  adverfaries  of  the  truth 
Jhould    thereupon   blafpheme  and  be  hardened,    and 
the  weak  and  Jeeblc-hearted  difcouraged,  an-^  for  this 
I  fought  the  Lord  earneflly ;  at  length  he  fatisfied  my 
fpirit  to  give  up,  as  my  foul  fo  my  body  to  him,  and 
quietly  to  leave  the  whole  difpofing  of  the  matter  to 
him;  and  fo  I  addrelTed  myfelf  in  as  comely  a  man- 
ner as  I  coijld,    having  luch  a  Lord    and  Mafter  to 
ferve  in  this  bufmefs.      And  when  I  heard  the  voice 
of  my  keeper  come  for  me,  even  chearfulnefs  did 
coTiC  upon  me,  and  taking  my  teftament  in  my  hand, 
1  went  a  long  with  him  to  the  place  of  execution, 
and  after  common  falutation  there  ftood.     There  ftood 
by  alfo  one  of  the   magiftrates,   by  name   Increafe 
Nowel,  who  for  a  while  kept  filent,  and  fpoke  not  a 
word, and  fo  did  I,  expecting  the  governor's  prefence, 
but  he  came  not.     But  after  a  while  Mr.   Nowel 
bade  the  executioner  do  his  office  ;  then  I  defired  to 
fpeak  a  fc\^  words,  but    Mr.  Nowel  anfwered,   it  is 
rot  now  a  time  to  fpeak.     Whereupon  I  look  leave, 
a»d  faid,  men,  brethren,  fathers  and  countrymen,  I 
befeech  you  give  me  leave  to  fpeak  a  few  words,  and 
the  rather  becaufe  here  are  many  fpeftators  to  fee  me 
puniflied,  and  I  am  to  feal  with  my  blood,  if  God 
give  ftrength,  that  which  1  hold  and  pra6tice  ki  refer- 
ees 


[1651.]      IN    NEW.EN  GLAND.     235 

ence  to  the  word  of  God,  and  the  teftimony  of  Jefus : 
that  which  I  have  to  fay  in  brief  is  this.   Although  I 
confcfs  1  am  no  difputant,  yet  lecing  I  am  to  feal 
what  I  hol.i  with  my  blood,  I  am  ready  10  defend  it 
by  the  word,  and  to  difpute  that  poi  i  with  any  that 
fliaU  come  forth  to  withftand  it.      Mr.   Nowel    an- 
fwered  me,  now  was  no  time  to  difpute.     Then  faid 
I,  fhen  I   defire    to  give  an  account  of  the  faith  and 
order  I  hold,  aid  this  J  defired  three  times,  bur  in 
€omes  Mr.  Flint,  and  faith  to  the  executioner,  Fellow , 
do  thine  office,  for  this  fellow  would  but  make  a  long 
fpeech  to  delude  the  people."^     So  1  being  refolved  to 
ipcak,  told  the  people  ;  that  which  I  am  to  fuffer  ior 
is  the  word  of  God,  and   tcflimony  of  Jefus  Chrifi:. 
No,    faith  Mr.  Nowel,  it  is  for  j^ou    error,  a  :d  going 
about  to  feducc  the  people.     To  which   I  replied, 
not  for  error,   for  in   sill    the  time  of  my  imprifon- 
ment.  wherein  I  WiS  left  alone  (my  brethren  being 
gone)  which  of  all  your  minilters  in  all  thar  rin^e  came 
to  convince  me  of  an  error;  and  when  upon  thr  gover- 
nor's words   a  motion  was  made  for  a  puN  ic  difpure, 
and  upon  fair  terms  ^o  often  renewed  and  dcfired  by 
hundreds,  what  was  the  reafon  it  was  not  granted  ? 
Mr.  Nowel   told  me,  it  was  hib*  fault  that  went  awsy, 
and  would   not  difpure  ;  but  this  the  writings  will 
clear  at  large.     Still  Mr.  Flint  calls  to  the  man  to  do 
his  office  :  io  before,  and  in  the  time  of  his  pulling 
off  my  cloaths  I  cont  nued  fpeaking,  telling  them, 
that  I  had  fo  learned,  that  for  all  Bolton  1  would  not 
give  my  body  into  their  hands  thus  to  be  bruKed  up- 
on another  account,  yet  upon  this  I  would  not  give 
the  hundredth  part  of  a  ■)•  wampum  peaque  to  free  it 
out  of  their  hands,  and  that  I  made  as  much  con  fcience 

of 

•  Thomas  Flint  wa*  chofen  one  of  their  magiftretc*  In  1643. 
+  A  nuampgm  piams^  ii  ti  f  fixih  part  ©f  a  penny  with  us. 


'2^6    HISTORY  OF   THE    BAPTISTS 

of  unbuttoning  one  button,  as  I  did  of  paying  the 
jT  50  in  reference  thereunto.  I  told  them  nnoreover, 
the  Lord  having  manilefted  his  love  towards  me,  in 
giving  me  repenrance  towards  God  and  faith  in  Jefus 
Chrilt,  and  fo  to  be  baptized  in  water  by  a  meflcngei 
pf  Jefas  into  the  name  of  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy 
Spirit,  wherein  I  have  fellowfiiip  with  him  in  his  deaths, 
bv'iai  and  refurreclion,  I  am  now  come  to  be  baptized 
in  affiiclions  by  your  hands,  that  fo  1  may  have  fur- 
ther fellowniip  with  my  Lord,  and  am  not  afhamed 
of  his  fuffnings,  for  by  his  ftripes  am  I  healed. 

•'  Ant,'  as  the  ma'i   began  to  lay  the  ftrokcs  upon 
iny  back,  I  f^id  to  the  people,  though  my  flefh  fhouid 
fail,  and  my  fpirii  ihould  fail,  yet  my  God  would  no^ 
fail.     So  it  plea  fed  the  Lord  to  come  in,  and  fo  to 
jill  my  heart  and  ton^ne  as  a  vcffe!  full,  and  with  an 
audible  voice  I  broke  forth,   praying  unto  the  Lord 
Slot  to  lay  this  fin  to  their  charg'^';  and  telling  the  peo- 
ple, that  now  I  found  he  did  not  fail  me,  and  there- 
lore  now  I  fhonid   truft  him  forever  who  failed  me 
not  ;  for  in  truth,  as  rhe  flrokes  fell  upon  we,  I  had 
iuch  a  fpiritual  manifeftation  of  God's  prefence.  as  the 
like  thereof  I  never  had  nor  felt,  nor  can  with  flefhly 
tongue  cxprefs;    nd  the  outward  pain  was  fo  removed 
^rom  mc,  that  indeed  1  am  not  able  to  declare  it  to 
you,  it  was  fo  eafy  to  me,  that  I  could  well  bear  it, 
yea  and  in  a  manner  felt  it  not.  although  it  was  griev- 
ous, as  the  fpeftators  faid,  the  man  'Vriking  with  all  his 
ftrength  (yea  fpitting  in  his  hand  three  times,  as  many 
affiriaed)  with  a  three-corded  whip,  giving  me  there- 
with thirty  ftrokes.     When  he  had  loofed  me  from 
the  port,  havino.  joyfulnels  in  my  heart,  and  cheerful- 
nefs  in  my  countenance,  as  the  fpc£>ators  oblerved, 
I  told  the*magiflrates,  you  have  f^ruck  me  as  with 
rofes  ;  and  faid   moreover,   although   the  Lord  hath 
made  it  eafy  to  nr.e,  yet  I  pray  God  ii  may  not  be  laid 
to  yo«r  charge-         '  '  "  A.fter 


[I  ^5^3        ^N    NEW-EN  GLAND.      23? 

*'  After  this  many  came  to  me  rejoicing  to  fee 
the  power  of  the  Lord  manifefted  in  weak  flefii ;  but 
finful  flefli  takes  occafion  hereby  to  bring  others  in 
trouble,  informs  the  magiftrates  hereof,  and  fo  two 
more  are  apprehended  as  for  contempt  of  authority ; 
their  names  were  John  Hazel  and   John  Spur,  who 
came  indeed  and  '^id  fiiake  me  by  the  hand,  but  did 
ufe  no  words  of  contempt  or  reproach  unto  any  ;  no 
man  can  prove  that  the  firft  fpoke  any  thing,  and  for 
the  (econd,  he  only  faid  thus,  blcfled  be  the  Lord  ; 
yet  thefe  two  for  taking  me  by  the  hand,  and  thus 
faying  after   1  had  received  my  punifliment,  were 
fentenced  to  pay  40  (liillings,  or  to  be  whipt.     Both 
were  refolved  againft  paying  their  fine  ;  neverthelefs 
after  one  or  two  days  iRiprifonment,  one  paid  John 
3put*s  fine,  and  he  was  releafed  ;  and  after  fix  or 
fevrn  days  imprifonmeu  of  brother  Hazel,  even  the 
day  whi  n  he  fliould  h-ve  fuffered,  another  paid  his, 
and  fo  he  efcapcd,  a;  d  the  next  day  went  to  vifit  a 
friend  about  fix  mii(  >  from  Boflon,   where  the  fame 
day  he  fell  (ick,  an^^  within  ten  days  ended  his  life. 
When  1  was  come  to  the  prifon,  it  pleafcd  God  to 
flir  up  the  heart  of  an  old  acquaintance  of  mine,  who 
with  much  tendcrnels,  like  the  good  Samaritan,  poured 
oil  'Pto  my  wounds,  and  plaiitered  my  fores  ',^  but 
there  was  pi-efent  information  given  what  was  done, 
and   inquiry  made  who  was  the  furgeon,  and  it  was 
commonly  reported  he  fliould  be  fcnt  for,  but  what 
was  done  I  yet  know  nor.     Now  thus  it  hath  pleafed 
the  Father  of  mercies  fo  10  difpofe  of  the  matter,  that 

my 

*  In  a  manufcript  of  governor  Jofeph  Jencbs's,  wrote  near  50 
y*ars  ago,  he  fays,  "  Mr.  Holmes  was  whipt  thirty  ftripes,  6n4 
in  fuch  an  unmerciful  manner,  that  in  many  days,  if  not  feme 
.weeks,  he  could  take  no  reft  but  as  he  lay  upon  his  knees  and 
elbows,  not  being  abltto  fufferany  part  of  his  body  to  touck  th« 
bed  whereon  he  lay.  But  Mr.  Clarke  being  a  fcholar  bred,  a 
friead  of  his,  paid  hif  fine."- 


458    HISTORY  OF    THE    BAPTISTS 

my  bonds  and  imprifbnments,  have  been  no  hindrance) 
to  the  Gofpel,  for  before  my  return,  fome  fubmitted 
10  the  Lord,  and  were  baptized,  and  divers  were  put 
upon  the  way  of  inquiry.  And  now  being  advifed  to 
make  my  efcape  by  night,  becaufe  it  was  reported 
that  there  were  warrants  forth  for  me,  I  departed  ; 
and  the  next  day  after,  while  I  was  on  my  journey, . 
the  conftable  came  to  fearch  at  the  houfe  where  I 
lodged;  fo  I  efcaped  their  hands,  and  was  by  the  good 
hand  of  my  heavenly  Father  brought  home  again  to 
my  near  relations,  my  wife  and  eight  children.  The 
brethren  of  our  town,  and  Providence  having  taken 
pains  to  meet  me  four  miles  in  the  woods  where  we 
rejoiced  together  in  the  Lord.  Thus  have  I  givers 
you  as  briefly  as  I  can,  a  true  relation  of  things  ; 
wherefore  my  brethren  rejoice  with  me  in  the  Lord, 
and  give  glory  to  him,  for  he  is  worthy,  to  whom  be 
praife  forevermore  ;  to  whom  I  commit  you,  and  put 
up  my  earneft  prayers  for  you,  that  by  my  late  expe- 
rience who  have  trufted  in  God, and  have  nor  been  de- 
ceived, you  may  truft  in  him  perfeflly.  Wherefore 
my  deai-ly  beloved  brethren,  truft  in  the  Lord,  and 
you  fliali  not  be  afliamed  nor  confounded  ;  fo  I  alfo 
reft,  Tour^s  in  the  bond  ef  charity, 

Obaf)iah  Holmes."* 
Thus  I  have  given  the  reader  his  own  leilimony, 
without  adding  or  diminifhing  a  (ingle  word,  that  all 
who  undertland  may  judge  \  for  the  fcriptures  afTure 
us,  that  the  ear  irieth  words,  as  the  mouth  tajleth 
meat.  You  have  heard  from  Mr.  Holmes,  that  two 
men  were  put  to  trouble  for  the  refpcft  they  fhewed 
to  him  after  his  fufferings.  Mr.Clarke  fays,  it  was  re~ 
pprted  that  warrants  were  fent  forth  to  the  number  of 
13,  but  that  '•  fome  through  fear  were  fain  to  hide 

*'  themfelves 

Clarke's  narratirp,  p.  16-^2^ 


[i55i.]       i>i  NEW-EN  GLAND.      239 

"  themfelves,  and  being  fl rangers,  to  haften  away,  or 
"  to  change  their  habit.*'  John  Spur,  one  of  their 
church  members,  and  who  was  taken,  gives  us  the 
following  leftimony.     Saiih  he, 

*'  Mr.  Cotton  in  his  fermon  immediately  before  the 
Court  gave  their  fentence  againlt  Mr.  Clarke,  Obadiah 
Holmes,  and  John  Crandal,  affirmed,  that  denying 
infant  baptifm  would  overthrow  all,  and  this  was  a 
capital  offence  ;  and  therefore  they  were  foul-mur* 
therers.  When  therefore  the  governor,  Mr.  John 
Endicot,  came  into  the  Court  to  pafs  fentence  againfl 
them,  he  faid  thus,  you  deferve  to  die,  bjt  this  we 
agreed  upon,  that  Mr.  Clarke  fhall  pay  ^-  20  fine, 
and  Obadiah  Holmes^.  30  fine,  and  John  Crandal 
^,  5  and  to  remain  in  prifon  until  their  fines  be  either 
paid  or  fecurity  givrn  for  them,  or  elfe  they  arc  all 
of  them  to  be  well  whipped.  When  Obadiah  Holmes 
was  brought  forth  to  receive  his  fentence,  he  defired 
of  the  magiflratcs,  that  he  might  hold  forth  the  ground 
of  his  prad^ice  ;  but  they  refufed  to  let  him  fpeakj 
and  commanded  the  whipper  to  do  his  office  ;  then 
the  whipper  began  to  pull  off  his  cloaths,  upon  which 
Obadiah  Holmes  faid,  Lord  lay  not  this  fin  unto  their 
charge  ;  and  fo  the  whipper  began  to  lay  on  with  h'<i 
whip  ;  upon  which  Obadiah  Holmes  (aid,  O  Lord,  I 
befeech  thee  to  manifeft  thy  power  in  the  wcakncfs 
of  thy  creature.  He  neither  moving  nor  ilirring  at 
all  for  their  Orokes,  brakes  out  in  thefe  expreffions, 
blefftd  and  praifcd  be  the  Lord,  and  thus  he  carried 
it  to  the  end,  and  went  away  rejoicingly  ;  I  John 
Spur  being  prefcnt,  it  did  take  fuch  an  impreflion  in 
my  fpirit  to  iruft  in  God,  and  to  walk  according  to 
the  light  that  God  had  communicated  to  me,  an  1  not 
ro  fear  what  vnan. could  do  unto  me,  that  I  went  to 
the  man  (being  iiiwardly  aliened  with  what  1  faw  and 
'^.eard)  and  with  a  joyful  countcnunce  took  him  by  the 

h^nd 


34©    HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

hand  when  he  was  from  the  poft,  and  faid,  praifed  be 
the  Lord ;  and  fo  I  went  along  with  him  i©  the  prifon ; 
and  prefently  that  day  there  was  information  given  to 
the  Court  what  I  had  faid  and  done  ;  and  alfo  a 
warrant  *  granted  out  that  day  to  arreft  both  myfelf 
and  John  Hazel,  which  was  executed  on  the  morrow 
morning  upon  us,  and  fo  we  were  brought  lo  the 
Court  and  examined.  The  governor  aflced  me  con- 
cerning Obadiah  Holmes,  according  as  he  was  inform- 
ed by  old  Mr.  Cole,  and  Thomas  Buttolph,  of  my 
taking  of  him  by  the  hand,  and  fmiling,  and  I  did  then 
freely  declare  what  I  did,  and  what  1  faid,  which  was 
this  :  Obadiah  Holmes,  faid  I,  1  do  look  upon  as  t 
godly  man  ;  and  do  affirm  that  he  carried  himfelf  as 
did  become  a  Chriftian,  under  fo  fad  an  affliction  ;  and 
his  affliftion  did  fo  affeft  my  foul,  tha*  I  went  to  him 
being  from  the  poft,  and  faid,  blefTed  be  the  Lord. — 
But  faid  the  governor,  what  do  you  apprehend  con- 
cerning ihecaufe  for  which  he  fuffered  ?  my  anfwer 
was,  that  I  am  not  able  to  judge  of  it  ;  then  faid  the 
governor,  we  will  deal  with  you  as  we  have  dealt  with 
him.  I  faid  unto  him  again,  I  am  in  the  hands  of 
God.  Then  Mr.  Symonds  a  magiftrate  faid,  youjhali 
know  that  you  are  in  the  hands  of  men.  The  go- 
vernor then  faid,  keeper,  take  him,  and  fb  1  was  pre- 
fently carried  away  to  prifon. 

**  The  next  day  about  one  of  the  clock  X  was  fent 
for  again  into  the  Court; ;  the  governor  (being  then 
about  to  go  out  of  the  Court  when  I  came  in)  deliver- 
ed his  fpecch  to  me  ;  faid  he,  you  mud  pay  40  ihili- 

ings 


)<i 


•  T»  the  keeper  or  his  deputy. 

By  virtue  hereof  you  are  to  take  into  your  cuftody,  and.jfa. 
keeping  th»  body  of  John  Spur  for  a  heinous  oiFence  by  him 
commieted,  hereof  fail  not.  Dated  the  5thofthe78h  month, 
165 1.     Take  alio  into  your  fafe  keeping  John  Hazel. 

By  tht  Court.  Increase  Nowel. 


ftlSj't.]      IN     NEW-ENGLAND.      2^,1 

?ngs  or  be  whipped.  I  faid  then  to  thofe  of  the  Colmc 
rhat  remained,  that  if  any  man  fuffer  as  a  Chrifti.in, 
let  him  glorifyGod  in  this  behalf.  Then  I  deHred  to 
know  what  law  1  had  broken,  and  v;hat  evil  I  had 
done  ?  but  they  produced  no  law,  only  they  produced 
what  the  two  witnefles  had  IWorn  Jigainft  me.*  My 
fpccch  thereto  was  this  :  My  praftice  and  carriage  ij 
'allowed  by  the  word  of  God,  for  it  iswrittrn  in  P.om, 
J  2.  Be  like  affe&ioned  one  tozvards  another^  rejoice 
lo'tth  them  that  rejoice  ;  and  it  is  contrary  to  niy 
judgment  and  eonfcience  to  pay  a  penny.  Then  f^id 
JVlr.  Bendal,  I  will  pay  it  for  him,  and  there  prefenrcd 
himfeif.  I  anfwered  then  and  faid,  I  thanked  him 
for  his  love,  but  did  believe  it  was  no  acceptable  fer- 
vice  for  any  man  to  pay  s  penny  for  me  in  this  cafe  ; 
yet  notwithlhnding  the  Court  accepted  of  his  profer, 
and  bid  me  be  gone,  then  came  John  Hazel  to  be 
examined.  John  Spur.."-}- 

Mr..  Hazel  was  one  of  Mr.  Holmes  brethren  <t 
Rehoboth,  who,  though   above  threefcore  years  old, 

li  and 

*  j=^  Cole  being  in  the  market  place,  wh^i  ObaJi;th  Holmes 
cama  from  the  whipping-poft,  John  Spur  came  and  met.  hihi 
prefcntly,  laughing  in  his  far^e,  faying,  BicRed  be  God  for  the  • 
brother,  and  fodid  go  withhicn,  laughing  upon  him  up  towards 
the  prifon,  which  was  very  grievous  to  me  to  fee  kirn  Iiardcn  rhi 
man  in  his  fin,  and  Ihcwing  much  contempt  of  autliority  by  rhnt 
carriage,  as  if  he  had  been  unjuiUy  punifiied,  and  had  fnfFerPi 
f«  a  righteous  man  under  a  tyrannical  government,  lyr.^/.sUA 
b?forc  the  Court,  the  Ki\i  cf  tke  yt^  month. 

^Jkcrfase  Now  EI,. 

I,  Thomas  Buttclph,  did  fee  John  Spur  coine  to  Obridiak 
Holmes,  fo  foon  2s  h<;  cams  frnm  the  v,K*pping-poil,  kug!iir...r 
?n  his  face,  and  going  along  with  him  towards  the  prif^  lo  v.'y 
rreat  grief  to  f-e  him  harden  hi;n  in  his  hn,  and  to,i}>e\v  f .c;i 
contempt  ofaufliority.  l)cpoi'"gd  she  sthoftiie  ^thmonih,  1651, 
before  the  v'oiirt.  '      I.-r.  :-5£  Nowi'i,. 

f  Narratife  p.  26—"'!, 

I  find  that  John  Ha/.e!  was  sdmitted  a  frecTOam  at  Bofion, 
March  0,  k'v"'.  and  jijhn  .^r':''   ^^"^'•'  '  '.  1039.    M?.lT,  rev'^i^^^i- 


2^2     HISTORY    ©F   THE   BAPTISTS 

and  infirm  in  body, had  travelled  near  fiftymilcs,partly 
indeed  on  other  biifmefs,  but  chiefly  o  vifit  his  be- 
loved brother  in  prifon  ;  and  how  he  was  treated  there 
he  has  given  us  an  account,  written  and  fubfcribed 
with  h's  ovT;n  hand  as  follows. 

"  A  relation  of  my  bein^  brought  before  the  ma- 
o^iflrates  the  6th  of  the  "jth  months  i  651. 

I  going  from  place  to  place,  to  buy  and  tnke  up 
commodities  for  my  ufe,  was  attached  or  arrefted  by 
the  n-iarfhal,  by  virtue  of  a  warrant  from  the  Court, 
to  appear  in  the  Court,  and  there  to  anfwer  for  a  high 
mifdemcanor  committed  by  me,  and  coming  into  the 
Court  (which  was  then  privately  kept  in  the  chamber) 
they  alked  me  drvers  queftions,  among  which  this  wa» 
one.  Whether  I  did  think  that  Obadiah  Holmes  did 
well  or  not,  in  coming  among  them  to  baptize,  and 
adminifter  the  f?crament  ?  laying  this  to  my  charge, 
that  I  was  one  with  hun,  and  of  the  fame  judgment, 
ami,  Whether  1  did  think  he  did  well  or  no,  in  his  fo 
carrying  himfelt  ?  To  which  I  anfwered,  I  had  here 
nothing  to  do  with  that  which  another  man  did,  but  I 
was  here  to  anfwer  for  what  I  myfelf  had  committed 
againll  their  law.  Then  faid  they,  you  have  offended 
our  law,  and  have  contemned  authoiity,  for  you  took 
him  by  the  hand,  and  did  countenance  him  in  his  fin, 
fo  f)on  as  he  was  gone  from  the  pofl.  To  which  1 
faid,  If  I  have  broken  any  law  of  the  place,  by  what 
I  then  did,  I  am  willing  to  fubmic  unto  punilbmenr. 
Tea,  faid  the  governor,  you  took  him  by  the  hand, 
did  you  not  ?  and  fpake  to  him,  what  faid  you  ?  did 
you  not  fay  fo  and  fo  ?  blelTed  be  God,  &c.  To 
which  I  faid,  I  fiiall  refer  myfelf  unto  the  teflimonies 
that  may  or  can  be  brought  againil  mc.  Well,  faid 
the  governor,  we  fiiall  find  teltimony  enough  againfl 
you  ;  take  him  to  you,  keeper,  and  we  v.'ili  call  you 
ferch  in  publiek,  for  what  we  do  with  you  we  will 

proceed 


[i6;i.]      IS    NEW-ENGLANG.       24^ 

proceed  in  publick  with  you,  and  Co  I  went  to  prifon. 
This  was  the  fum  and  fnbRance  of  the  firft  time  I 
was  called  before  them.  The  next  day  being  thz  laft 
day  of  the  week,  and  the  lad  day  of  their  Conn,  i 
was  in  expeftation  all  the  forenoon  to  be  called  forth, 
but  was  not  ;  fo  after  dini";er,  when  (as  appeareth) 
the  Court  was  rifen,  and  fbme  of  the  magiflrates  de- 
parted, I  was  *ent  for  again  into  the  chamber,  where 
was  the  governor  with  three  others,  /cii.  Mr.  Bel- 
lingham,  Mr.  Hibbens,  and  Mr.  Encre^fe  No  a  el. 
As  fooa  as  I  was  come  into  the  room,  the  governor 
read  my  fentence,  which  was,  that  I  mufl  pay  40/.'  or 
be  well  whipt,  and  fo  immediately  he  departed,  and 
when  he  was  gone  (for  I  could  not  have  time  before) 
1  anfwered,  that  I  defired  the  privilege  of  an  Englilli 
fubjeft,  which  was  to  be  tried  by  the  country,  to  wit. 
a  jury,  and  to  be  made  to  appear  (if  they  can)  to  be 
a  tranfgreflbr  by  a  law.  1  o  which  they  faid,  1  had 
contemned  authority,  and  they  had  a  law  to  punifti 
fuch,  and  laid  they,  you  did  iliew  your  contempt  cf 
authority  in  that  you  did  take  fuch  a  perfon  by  the 
hand,  as  foon  as  he  was  from  the  poft.  To  which 
I  anfwered,  I  could  not  do  that  which  I  did  in  con- 
tempt to  authority,  feeing  he  had  fatisfied  the  law  10 
the  full,  and  was  departed  froni  the  place  of  fuffering ,; 
and  in  the  next  place,  what  I  did,  I  did  unto  him  as 
my  friend  ;  and  further  f.  faid,  if  I  had  taken  him  by 
the  hand  fb  foon  as  he  was  ioofcd  from  the  poR,  and 
had  led  him  out  of  ihe  town,  I  fliou'd  not  have  brokcii 
any  law  either  of  God  or  man.  To  this  they  f/.id, 
that  there  was  a  law  in  nil  Courts  of  juflice,  both  in 
Old-England  and  oiher  countries,  to  punifli  conternrc 
of  authority,  and  fo  had  they  fuch  a  law  a^mong 
themfelvcs.  To  which  I  faid.  that  in  Old-England, 
and  in  other  places,  they  had  fuch  fi  law  1  denied 
not,  but  tha-t  law  alfo  was  both  ena^cd  and  publifhed 

b:> 


3^4    HISTORY   CF    THE    BAPTISTS 

hi^r  what  hvv  have  I  brc'-^en  in  taking  my  friend  by 
ihc  hand,  when  he  was  free,  and  had  fatisficd  the  law  ? 
To  this  they  replied,  that  he  had  not  fatisfied  the 
keeper.  To  this  I  anfwer'ed,  that  he  had  talked  with 
ll\c  keeper,  apd  there  was  fomc  agrecii-jent  betweer^ 
ihcin,  ;\nd  fo  in  that  feiiife  alfonpt  under  rh?  law,  but 
iree.  Then  faid  they,  It  you  would  have  fliewed 
k-ndnefi  unto  your  friend,  yow  might,  have  forborn 
in  that  place,  and  ctonc  it  more  privately.  To  which 
J  anf^ered,  I  knew  not  biu  that  place  was  ?s  free  as 
'another,  he  having  fatisfied  the  law.  The  teftimony 
liiat  was  given  hy  Mr.  Cole  was  this,  "  I  faw  Johfi 
Hazel  t;;ke  Obadjah  Hchnes  by  the  hand,  bi,u  wha^ 
be  fjid  I  gannac  tell.'*  This  is  the  fubdance  of  all 
ttte  proceedings  pnti!  the  Ufl  d^jy  at  night,  and  ther^ 
tbey  [aid  I  (l:iQold  be  whipt,  \>ui  faid  fome  of  their 
oHicers,  the  whippcr  cannot  be  found.  Then  they 
commanded  that  they  (l.ould  be  ready  by  the  fecpncl 
tiay  morning,  and  then  1  did  expert  to  be  called  forth; 
nut  neither  that  dgy,  nor  the  third,  nor  fourth,  was  J 
taiiedi  bjt  am  as  1  underftand  ref  rved  unto  the  fifth 
,i.,V,  tQ  b'e  more  publick  in  the  viev/  of  the  world  j 
:'.nd  when  the  fifth  day  came,  as  1  had  many  before, 
•'o  alfo  then,  that  v/ould  have  paid  the  fine,  if  I  would 
rire  my  confetXff  which  I  denied  to  dq,  ^nd  fo  fet 
j^yfeU  by  the  power  of  Ghrift  to  fufFer  what  (houlu 
!>c  inilictcd  upon  me  ;  bat  when  noon  came  I  was 
ii')k1  I  /lioiild  not  fafi.er  whipping,  yet  not  having  a, 
.iiicharge,  I  did  not  lock  tO  be  freed  until  the  keeper 
5 old  me,  I  might  go  about  my  bufinefs.  Then  I  de-. 
i.panded  a  dii'chirge  (meaning  under  the  magiflratcs. 
jtiands)  fo  he  b:id  me  go,  he  wovjd  difcharge  me. 

**  The  iivoker,  I  vyas  enjoined  by  the  Court  to  have, 
"vvcre  tcr4  with  a,  three-corded  \vhip  ;  the  very  fame, 
pumbci  1  under  Hand,  that  the  worft  malef^iflors'tliat 
vv'^^;e  'here  'oup.^rnfd  had,  of  wbich  feme  were  guilty 


[i 65I.J-"    IN     N  E  W-E  N  G  L  A  N  D.      245^ 

£>r  comnaon  whoredom,  other  of  forcing  a  little  child, 
and  one  Indian  for  coining  of  money.  Thus  far  have 
you  c  relation  according  to  my  beft  remembrance  from 
the  firft  10  the  lad  of  ail  the  paHages  concerning  this 
matter  ;  by  mc  John  Hazel,  written  with  mine  own 
hand  in  Bofloii  pt  ifon,  the  j  ^th  day  of  the  7th 
month,  1651. 

"  ^  pefifcr'ip.  Since  I  wrote,  I  underQand  thcr® 
]s  report  that  I  was  willing  to  pay  my  fine,  and  that 
the  magiltrates  would  not  accept  of  it  without  I  were 
willing.  Gentle  reader,  be  plcafed  to  iinderftand 
that  this  IS  faif*".,  for  it  was  without  my  confcnt  or  ap= 
probation  ;  and  further  iinderfiand,  that  the  fine  was 
t-jken  by  them,  n-pon  the  profer  of  xMr.  Bendal  fop 
John  Spur,  it  was  willingly  accepted  by  the  magifirates, 
?ind  approved  of,  although  John  Spur  did  to  their  faces 
contradi^  it,  and  oppofe  it  ;  therefore,  good  readerj 
believe  not  fuch  reports. 

Byrne,     John  Hazel."* 

Thus  far  w(?  have  attended  to  thofe  lufTerers  own 
tertimony,  the  laft  of  whom  wrote  the  poilcript  of  his 
relation  on  his  death-bed,  and  how  much  the  abufive 
Treatment  he  met  with  was  the  eaiife  of  his  death,  God 
only  knows.  Let  lis  now  hear  what  others  had  to  fay 
5ibout  them,  Mr.  Ciarke  went  to  England  in  No~ 
vember  1651,  and  the  next  year  printed  the  narrative 
irom  whence  we  have  taken  ihefe  accounts  ;  upori 
which  Sir  Richard  Saltonftall,  one  of  the  MafTachu- 
J'etts  firfl:  mag^'hate?,  then  in  oui-  mother  country,, 
wrote  to  Mr.  Coiios  and  VVilfon,  of  Bofton,  in  thit 
manner. 

"  REVERrND  and  dear  friead;,  whom  I  unfeign- 
ed ly  love  and  refpe<^, 

*  Nanati'vt,  p.  z(j.—  'i,2.  liert  note,  that  Mr.  Neal  miflakc? 
iarepir renting  that  it  v/a^  ih<?  ger,«ral  Cqurt  that.  Sued  th^sfe  mer. , 

for  it  wai  only  ths  Court  of  fiirul?,a!.i4 


2^6   HISTORY   OF    THE    BAPTISTS 

*' It  doth  not  a  little  grieve  my  fpirit  to  hear  what 
fad  things  are  reported  daily  of  your  tyranny  and 
perfecuiions  in  New-England,  as  that  you  fine,  whip 
and  imprifon  men  for  their  confciences.  Firft,  you 
compel  fuch  to  come  into  your  aflemblies  as  you 
know  will  not  join  you  ia  your  worfhip,  and  when 
vhey  fhew  their  diflike  thereof  or  witnefs  againft  it, 
then  you  flir  up  your  magiflrates  to  punifh  them  for 
fuch  (as  you  conceive)  their  public  afrronts.  Truly, 
friends,  this  your  pra£lice  of  compelling,  any  in  matters 
of  worfhip  to  do  that  whereof  they  are  not  fully  per- 
fuaded,  is  to  make  them  fin,  for  fo  the  apoftle  (Rom. 
14  and  23)  tells  us  and  many  are  made  hypocrites 
thereby,  conforming  in  their  outwr.rd  man  for  fear  of 
punifhment.  We  pray  for  you  and  wifh  you  profperity 
every  way,  hoped  the  Lord  would  have  given  you  fa 
much  light  and  love  there,  that  you  might  have  been 
eyes  to  God's  people  here,  and  not  to  pra£lice  thofe 
courfes  in  a  wildernefs,  which  you  went  (b  far  to  pre- 
vent. Thcfe  rigged  ways  have  laid  you  very  low  in 
the  hearts  of  the  faints.  I  do  afiure  you  I  have  heard 
them  pray  in  the  publick  afiemblies  that  the  Lord 
would  give  you  meek  and  humble  fpirits,  not  to  Itrivc 
fo  much  for  uniformity  as  to  keep  the  unity  of  the 
fpirit  in  the  bond  of  peace.'*^ 

Mr.  Cotton's  anfwer. 
*'  Honoured  and  dear  Sir, 

"  My  brother  Wilfon  and  felf  do  both  of  us  ac- 
knowledge your  love,  as  otherwife  formerly,  fo  now 
in  the  late  lines  we  received  from  you,  that  you  grieve 
in  fpirit  to  hear  daily  complaints  againft  us. — Be 
pleafed  to  underfland  we  look  at  fuch  complaints  as 
altogether  injurious  in  rcfpe6t  of  ourfelves,  who  had 
BO  hand  or  tongue  at  all  to  promote  either  the  coming 

of 

•  Maff.  hiflory    vol.  III.  p.  401,  402. 


[1651.]       IN  N  EW-EN  GLAND.      247 

of  the  perfcns  you  aim  at  into  our  affemblies,  or  their 
punifhment  for  their  carriage  there.  Righteous  judg- 
ment will  not  take  up  reports,  much  lefs  reproaches 
againfl  the  innocent.  The  cry  of  the  finners  of 
Sodom  was  great  and  loud,  and  reached  up  to  heaven  ; 
yet  the  righteous  God  (giving  us  an  example  what  to 
do  in  the  like  cafe)  he  would  firft  go  down  to  fee  whe- 
ther their  crime  were  altogether  according  to  the  cry, 
before  he  proceed  to  judgment.  And  when  he  did 
find  the  truth  oFthe  cry,  he  did  not  wrap  up  all  alike 
promifcuoufly  in  the  judgment,  but  fpared  fuch  as 
he  found  innocent.*  We  are  amongft  thofe  whom 
(if  you  knew  us  better)  you  would  account,  peacea- 
ble in  Ifrael.  Yet  neither  are  we  fo  va(t  in  our  in- 
dulgence or  toleration,  as  to  think  the  men  you  /peak 
of,  fuffered  an  unjuft  cenfure.  For  one  of  them 
(Obadiah  Holmes)  being  an  excommunicate  perfbn 
hi.nfelf,  out  of  a  church  in  Plymouth  patent,  came 
into  this  jurifditftion,  and  took  upon  him  to  baptize, 
which  I  think  himfelf  will  not  fay  he  was  compelled 
here  to  perform.-[-  And  he  was  not  ignorant  that  the 
rebaptizing  of  an  elder  perfon,  and  that  by  a  private 
pcrfon  out  of  office  and  under  excommunication,are  all 

of 

*  Alas  !  how  often  do  men  a'ft  contrary  to  the  good  rules 
tV.ey  prelcribe  for  others  !  flow  often  was  Mr.  Gotton  guilty  of 
cenfuring  others,  without  a  fair  and  full  hearing  !  he  does  it 
to  Mr.  Holmes  before  he  has  got  to  the  end  of  this  letter.  And 
where  there  are  feme  things  wrong,  yet  how  little  care  has  been 
uieJ  by  his  party  to  diflinguifh  the  innocent  from  the  guiltyj 
among  the  baptifts  i  So  far  from  fuch  a  care,  that  from  hu  dajf 
to  ours,  it  has  been  a  sommon  trade  of  that  party  to  ranfack 
Germany,  in  order  to  reproach  the  Rnglifn  baptills  with  errors 
and  bad  aflions,  which  we  never  had  any  more  concern  .with, 
ihan  our  accufers  have  with  the  whoredom  of  pope  Joan  ! 

t  What  an  evafion  is  this  ?  Sir  Richard  fpake  of  compelling 
perfonsinto  their worlhip,  and  Cotton  here  turns  it  8s  if  he 
ment  a  compelling  perfons  out  of  one  go'/ernment  into  another 
c«  werihip  in  tli«ir  own  way. 


S4S    HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTlSTig 

of  them  manifefl:  contcftations  againfl  the  order  snd^ 
goTernrnenr  of  our  churches,  eflabliflied  (we  know) 
by  God's  law,  and  The  knoweth)  by  the  laws  of  the 
country.  As  for  his  whipping,  it  was  more  volun- 
tarily chofcn  by  him  than  inflified  on  him.  His  ceu- 
Hiire  by  the  Court  was  to  hare  p.lid  (as  I  know)  20 
pounds,  or  elfe  be  whipt ;  his  fine  was  offered  to  be 
paid  by  friends  for  him  freely,  lut  he  chofe  rather 
to  be  whipt  ;  in  which  cafe,  if  his  fuffering  of  ilripcs 
was  any  worfliip  of  God  at  all,  furely  it  could  be  ac- 
counted no  belter  than  will-worfhip.^  The  other 
(Mr.  Clarke)  was  wifcr  in  th^t  point  and  his  offencfe 
was  lefs,  io  was  his  fine  lefs,  and  himfelf  (as  I  hear) 
was  contented  to  have  it  paid  for  him,  whereupon 
he  was  releafed.-j-  The  imprifonment  of  either  of 
them  was  no  detriment.  1  believe  they  fared  neither 
of  them  better  at  home,  and  I  am  fure  Holmes  had 
not  been  Co  well  clad  of  many  years  before. 

"  Bui  be  pleafed  to  confider  this  point  a  lictlf 
further.  You  think  to  compel  men  in  r*atter  of 
worfliip  is  to  make  them  fin.  If  the  worfliip  be 
lawful  in  itfelf,  the  magiftrate  compelling  him  to 
come  to  it,  compeileth  him  not  to  fin,  but  the  fin  is 
in  his  will  that  needs  to  be  compelled  to  a  chriflian 
duty.  If  it  do  make  men  hypocrites,  yet  better  be 
hypocrites  than  profane  perfons.  Hypocrites  give 
God  part  of  his  due,  the  outward  man,  but  the   prO' 

■";'♦  phsns 

*  **  Although  the  paying  of  a  fne  fcsms  to  be  but  a  foiaM 
£hi«g  in  comparifon  of  a  man's  parting  with  his  religiop,  yet 
the  paying  of  a  fine  is  ihe  acknowledging  of  a  tranlgreffion  : 
and  for  a  man  to  a?kn,.wledge  that  he  has  tranfgreffed  when  hi» 
confcience  tells  him  he  has  not,  is  but  little  if  any  at  thing  all 
fhort  of  parting  with  his  religion  ;  and  'tis  likely  that  this 
might  be  the  confideration  of  thofefufFcrers. 

Governor  Jencks." 

t  Ifthe  reader  will  lookback  to  page  225,  he  may  fee  ho^v 
contrary  this  is  to  truth. 


[i<^5i-]       ^N    NEW-ENGLAND..     249 

phane  perfon  giveth  God  neither  outward  nor  in- 
ward man.  You  know  not,  if  you  think  wc  came 
into  this  wildernefs  to  practice  ihofe  courfes  here 
which  we  fled  from  in  England.  We  believe  there 
is  a  vaft  difference  between  men's  inventions  and 
God's  inftitutions ;  we  fled  from  men's  inventions,  to 
which  we  elfe  fliould  have  been  compelled  ;  we  com- 
pel none  to  men's  inventions.  If  our  ways  (rigid 
ways  as  you  call  them)  have  laid  us  low  in  the  hearts 
of  God's  people,  yea,  and  of  the  faints  (as  you  ftile 
them)  we  do  not  believe  it  is  any  part  of  their  faint- 
ihip.  Neverthelefs,  I  tell  you  the  truth,  we  have 
tolerated  in  our  church  fome  anabaptifb,  fome  anti= 
nomians  and  fome  feekers,  and  do  fo  flill  at  this  day. 
We  are  far  from  arrogating  infallibility  of  judgment 
to  ourfelves  or  affefting  uniformity  ;  uniformity  God 
aever  required,  infallibility  he  never  granted  us."^ 

Here  I  would  remark, 

I.  That  they  were  not  infalliable,  can  eafily  be 
believed,  by  all  who  fee  what  great  abfurdities  and 
felf-contradi^lions  they  were  driven  to,  in  trying  to 
fupport  that  way.  Mr.  Cotton  here  aflerts,  that  they 
were  far  from  arrogating  infallibility  to  themfelves, 
and  yet  in  the  lame  letter  had  fj.id,  our  churches  are 
eftabiifhed,  "  WE  KNOW  by  God's  law,"  and  that 
in  the  points  Mr.  Holmes  contefled ;  and  the  ufe  of 
force  in  religious  matters  naturally  carries  men  into 
this  abfurdity  ;  for  it^ould  found  very  odd  in  any 
men,  to  compel  others  k>  their  way  by  the  magiftrates 
fword,  and  yet  own  at  the  fame  tim.e  that  they  dici 
not  know  but  they  were  compelling  them  into  errors. 
When  I  firft  came  into  the  parilJi  where  I  now  dwell, 
as  ihey  \^ere  without  a  minifler,  their  committee  re- 
<queffed  me  to  preach  to  them  for  Lme  time,  which 
I  did.  But  in  the  year  following,  ihcy  got  a  major 
K  k  \oie 

*  Ma/r.  hift.  vol.  III.  p.  403—406. 


250    HISTORi  or  the  BAi:'TISTS 

vote  to  hire  other  fort  ot  preaching,  and  taxed  m« 
with  our  fociciy  thereto  This  caufed  our  fo- 
ciety  to  prefent  an  addrefs  to  that  party,  dajcd  No- 
vember 2  1,  1748,  wherein  they  fay,"  Pray  confider, 
would  you  hke  it  if  we  were  a  few  more  in  number 
than  you,  to  be  forced  to  help  us  build  a  meeting- 
houfc,  and  maintain  our  minifler  1  We  doubt  it  much.*' 
To  this  the  other  party,  by  the  help  of  a  neighbour- 
ing minider,  returned  a  long  anfwer,  the  turning 
point  of  which  was  ia  thefe  words,  riz.  "  What  we 
deraand  of  you  is  equal  atxl  right ;  what  you  demand 
of  us  is  evil  and  finful ;  and  hence  we  have  the  golden 
rule  upon  our  fide,  while  you  are  receeding  and  de- 
parting from  it ;  for  \i  we  were  in  an  error  and  out  of 
the  right  way,  as  we  fee  and  know  that  you  are  in  fe- 
veral  refpe£^3,  and  you  fee  and  inezo  it  of  us,  as  we  do 
of  you,  we  think  the  golden  rule  would  oblige  yon 
10  tell  us  of  our  error,  and  not  let  us  alone  to  go  on 
peacibly  in  it,  that  is  without  ufing  proper  means  to 
recover  and  reclaim  us  ;  whether  by  the  laws  of  God, 
or  the  good  and  wholefome  laws  of  the  land,  as  wc 
now  treat  you." 

Now  only  allow  it  to  be  right  to  join  the  laws  of 
the  land  with  the  latus  of  God,  in  fupporting  what 
the  majority  calls  the  right  way  of  worfhip,  and  then 
how  can  any  one  fairly  withfland  this  reafoning  .''  for 
we  are  required  not  to  fuffer  fin  upon  our  neighbour  ; 
and  if  feculiar  force  be  a  means  that  chriftians  ought 
to  ufe,  to  bring  their  neighboiiiB  from  error  to  attend 
and  fupport  the  truth,  how  can  Mr.  Cotton's  party  be 
condemned  for  felzing  and  punifhing  Mr.  Clarke  and 
his  brethren  for  worfhiping  in  a  private  houfe,  when 
they  had  an  orthodox  meeting  in  the  town,  eftablifhed 
by  public  authority  ?  And  how  can  the  major  party 
in  any  paridi  be  blamed  for  imprifoningmen  for  their 
na-inillers  rates  (as  my  neighbours  did  me)  though  they 

B«ver 


It^SQ        ^N    K^W-ENGLAND.      2'5t 

never  heard  him,  or  received  the  lead  benefit  from 
him  ?  If  any  think  thefe  two  arc  not  parallel  cafes, 
I  afk  what  is  the  difference  ?  Mr.  Clarke  and  Holmes 
might  have  gone  to  the  eflablifhed  worihip,  if  they 
would ;  and  Mr.  Holmes  might  have  had  his  fine  paid 
it  feems  if  he  would,  and  fo  all  his  devotion  under  the 
whip  is  declared  to  be  "  no  better  than  ivill  toorjhip** 
According  to  Mr.  Cotton's  own  words,   men  might 
then  be   anabaptifts,     antinomians  and    what    not, 
if  they  would  but  come  to  hear  the  right  minifters, 
and  join  with   the  right  churches  ;  and  is  not   the 
greatefl  complaint  they  have  at  this  day  againfl  the 
baptifls,  becaufe  they  refufe  to  commune  with  pedo- 
baptifl  churches  ?  They  profeifed  to  grant  liberty  of 
confcience  then,  as  well  as  now.     Captain  Johnfon 
who  wrote  in  the  time  we  are  upon,  fays  of  erronious 
perfons,  "  They  report  in  all  places  where  they  come, 
that   Nevv;England   government  doth  perfecute  the 
people  and  churches  of  ChriJi  ;  which  to  fpeak  truth, 
they  have  hitherto  been  fo  far  from,  that  they  have 
endeavoured  to  rxpel  all    fuch  beafis  of  prey  (who 
vvi!l  not  be  reclaimed)  that  here  might  be  none  left  to 
hurt  or  deftrcy  in  all  God's  holy  moi.mtain. — Neither 
do  they  exercife  civil  power  to  bring  all  men   under 
their  obedience,  to  a  uniformity  in  every  point  of  re- 
ligion, but  to  keep  them  in  the  unity  of  the  fpirit,  and 
the  bond  of  peace  ;   nor  yet  iiave   they  ever  iiiixed 
their  civil  powers  withfjhe  authority  peculiarly  given 
by  Chrifl  to  his  chu^chr  s  and  officers   of  them,  but 
from  time   to  time  have,  laboured   to  uphold   their 
privileges,  and  only  communion  one  with  another."*^ 

It  is  readily  granted  ikat  the  feniiments  of  Mr. 
Williams  aad  Mr.  Clark,  about  religious  liberty,  have 
had  a  great  fpread  ilnce  that  day,  fo  that  men  of  s 
contrary  mind  cannot  carry  their  x>^prf  ilive  fchemes  fi:? 

f»r 

•  JohftfonV  hiilory,  p.  i©;;. 


252   hist:ory  of  the  baptists 

far  now  as  they  did  then:  yet,  as  to  fuch  as  fllll  hold 
that  they  hare  a  right  to  ule  fecular  force  to  fupport 
vvorfhip,  1  think  the  chief  difference  between  ihcni 
and  their  fathers  in  1651,  lies  in  thefe  two  points  : 
Then  ihcy  gave  the  church  the  whole  power  of  c\c6i' 
ing  and  fettling  miniflers  ;  now  the  world  is  empower- 
ed to  controul  the  church  in  her  choice  ;  then  they 
obliged  men  to  hear,  as  well  as  fupport  their  good 
minifters  ;  now  men  may  hear  whom  they  pleafe,  if 
they  will  but  let  the  pafi^  minifter  have  their  money ; 
but,  if  that  is  refufcd,  men  ure  as  liable  toimprifbnmcnt 
cr  coR6fcation  of*  goodi  now  as  then  ;  and  whether 
the  compelling  of  a  man  to  pay  for  that  which  is  no  ' 
benefit  to  him,  be  not  an  action  more  void  of  the  very 
appearance  of  judice,  than  die  compelling  of  men  to 
hear  what  the  compellers  efteemed  good  preaching 
was,  is  freely  refered  to  every  rcadcr*s  confcience  :  as 
it  alfo  is,  whether  the  real  error  in  both  cafes  does  not 
lie  in  blending  divine  and  human  laws  together,  rather 
ihan  in  any  miftake  about  applying  of  them  then,  more 
than  now.  .... 

2.  We  have  abundant  reafon  to  think  that  Mr. 
Clarke's  narrative  of  their  fentiments  and  fufferings,  is 
a  true  and  juli  one  ;  for  he  publifiied  it  in.  1 652,  and 
it  greatly  concerned  the  MalTachufeits  colony  to  con- 
Aue  ihe  fame  if  they  could,  and  they  did  not  want 
for  men  of  ability  and  inclination  to  vindicate  them- 
felves  iii  that  refpe6>,  if  they  hgd  found  matter  to 
work  upon.'  But  Captain  Johnfon  who  publifhed  his 
hiftory  of  thatcalony  in  i6(;^,  is  filent  about  this  re- 
markable affair.  Mr.  John  Leverctt  their  agent  at  the 
Britifli  Court,  wrote  to  governor  Endicot  about  it  ; 
but  he  in  a  letter  of  June  29,  i  ^57,  fays,  "  I  cannot 
fftr  the  prefent  anfwer  your  expc£lation  touching 
Rhode-lAand/  and  Clarke  and  holmes."*  Mr. 
''  Morton 


[1651.]      IN    NEW-ENGLAND.     25'^ 

Morton  printed  hi?  New-England  memorial  in  166^^ 
in  which  he  endeavours  to  vindicate  the  country  againft 
many  other  complaints,  but  lesives  this  narrative  un- 
touched. Mr.  Hubbard  wrote  a  large  hiftory  of  the 
country  in  1 680,  yet  touches  not  this  affair  u-nlefs  in 
an  obfcure  hint  which  confutes  nothing.  Dr.  Cotton 
Mather  publiflied  his  folio  hidory  of  New-England 
in  1702,  but  paflTes  over  thefe  fuffcrings  in  filence  ; 
yea,  and  fo  does  governor  Hutchinfon,  though  his 
hiftory  is  the  moft  impartial  upon  religious  difputes  of 
any  that  has  been  written  in  this  country,  yet  he  fays, 
'*  The  firft  profecution  I  find  upon  record  of  any  of 
the  people  called  anabaptifls  was  in  the  year,  1 66^*^* 
Indeed  in  his  third  volume,  which  is  a  colle£lion  of 
ancient  papers,  are  a  few  references  to  thefe  fufferers, 
which  1  have  now  made  nfe  of,  but  inf^ead  of  con- 
futing, they  confirm  Mr.  Clarke's  narrative.  Mr. 
Neal  who  wrote  in  London  1720.  has  from  that  nar- 
rative given  a  brief  account  of  their  fuffciings,  and 
has  done  them  the  moft  honour  of  any  pcdobaptifl 
author  I  ever  favv  ;  though  he  has  made  fcveral  mif- 
takcs  about  them. t 

3.  By 

*  Maff.  hift.  vol.  I.  p.  226. 

t  As  in  vol.  I.  p.  298  he  fays,  **  Mr.  Newman  admonlfhed 
Holmes  of  his  offence  ;  buc  finding- him  obltinace,  and  not  will- 
ing to  give  an  account  of  his  conduft  to  the  church,  he  excom- 
m"jnicated  him  ;"  for  which  he  gives  no  other  proof  than  Mr. 
Clarke's  narrative,  and  that  informs  us,  p.  24,  that  the  firft  oc- 
cafion  of  Mr.  Holmes's  feparation  was,  "  That  feven  of  the 
brethren  ftiould  pafs  an  aft  of  admonition  upon  a  brother,  with- 
out theconfent  of  the  reft,  we  (fays  Mr.  Holmes)  being  23  in 
number,  who  might  all  in  one  hour's  fpace,  if  in  health,  have 
come  together  ;  fo  when  I  heard  of  it  I  went  to  Mr.  Newman, 
and  told  him  of  the  evil  which  he  and  the  other  fix  had  done  ; 
he  told  mc  they  were  the  church  reprefentative,  and  if  four  of 
them  had  done  it,  it  had  been  a  church  aft.  When  this  comes 
to  the  congregation,  with  much  ado,  he  got  five  more  tohimfelf, 
(End  then  they  were  twelve  and  we  eleven,  then  they  owned 

themfeives 


2Si    HISTORY  OF    THE    BAPTISTS 

g.  Bt  all  that  appears,  thofc  bapilft  fatl-iers  were 
found  in  the  faith  and  much  acquainted  with  experi- 
mental and  praflica)  religion.  All  that  was  proved 
againft  them  may  be  fummed  up  in  their  noble  lefti- 
mony,that  there  is,  "  None  to  or  with  Chrilt  the  Lord^ 
by  way  of  commanding  and  ordering  with  refpeft  to 
the  worfiiip  of  God  :  that  baptifm  or  dipping  in  M'ater 
is  one  of  his  commandments,  and  that  a  vifibl*^  be!:  *er 
or  difciple  of  Chrift  is  the  only  pcrfon  that  is  to  e 
baptized  ;  that  every  fuch  believer,  may  in  point  of 
liWerty,  yea,  ought  in  point  of  duty  to  improve  that 
talent  his  Lord  hath  given  him  with  mceknefs  of  wil- 
dom  ;  and  that  no  fuch  believer  hath  any  liberty, 
much  Icfs  authority  from  his  Lord,  to  fmite  his  icl- 
jow-fervant,  nor  yet  with  outward  force  to  reftrain  his 
confcience,  nor  outward  man  for  confcicncc  fake, 
where  injury  is  not  offered  to  the  perfon,  name  or 
cftate  of  others."  This  is  the  fum  of  all  the  prin- 
ciples for  which  they  fuffered  fuch  cruel  things,  tho' 
their  oppofites  have  conftantly  accufed  them  of  others. 
The  aflembly  of  the  MafTachufeits  begin  their  law 
igainft  the  baptifts  in  1644,  ^^^^  laying,  "  That  fince 
the  firft  arifing  of  the  anabaptifls  about  i  oc  years 
fince,  they  have  been  the  incendiaries  of  the  common- 
wealths, 

themfelves  to  be  the  church,  and  began  to  deal  with  me  for  fay- 
ing, they  had  abufed  the  church,  and  had  took  from  them  their 
power  ;  whereupon  I  told  them  I  fhould  renounce  them,  till 
either  they  faw  their  fin,  or  I  further  light."  A  ter  which  a 
rumber  more  drew  off  and  fet  up  a  meeting  by  themfelves,  and 
there  was  public  notice  of  the  day  when  they  were  to  be  baptized, 
and  many  witneffesof  thetranfaftion.yet  fays  he,  "not  one  man 
er  woman  of  Mr.  Newman's  company  ever  come  to  deal  with  me 
for  evil  either  in  judgment  or  praftice  till  a  long  time  after." 
Now  i«  it  juft  to  charge  Mr.  Holmes  with  obftinacy,  only  for 
hi*  refufing  to  fiibmit  to  the  other  party  after  this  ?  Again  Mr. 
Neal,  p.  302,  charges  Mr.  Clarke,  with  ftanding  upon  a 
fuHMilio  againft  <i;tfryya/r  fff«frf^o«j  of  the  Mafl'achufetts  rulers. 
Only  beeaufe  he  refufed  to  difpute  withoit  an  exemptien  from 
the  lafh  of  their  law. 


[1651]       IN    NEW-ENGLAND.       255 

wealths,  and  the  inferiors  of  perfons  in  main  matters 
of  religion,  arid  the  troublers  of  churches  in  all  places 
where  they  have  been  j"  and  great  pains  have  been 
taken  by  teachers  and  writers  from  that  day  to  this, 
to  conneft  thefe  odious  ideas  with  the  very  name  of 
anabaptifts.  But  let  the  reader  judge  whether  it  be 
poflibie  for  minifters  ot  any  denomination,  to  vifit  and 
worfhip  with  any  of  their  brethren,  more  peacibly 
than  thefe  minifters  did  10  their  brother  at  Lynn  ; 
and  wheiVer  he  can  find  one  of  their  martyrs  who 
Ihewed  Icfs  of  a  difpofiiion  for  denying  the  lawful 
authority  of  magiftrates,  or  more  of  a  chrilfian  temper 
in  fuffering,  under  their  unlawful  ufurpations,  than 
thefe  bapiifts  did.  And  whether  they  were  hetrodox 
or  not  in  uiain  matters  of  religion,  may  be  partly 
gathered  from  the  foregoing  account,  and  ftill  further 
by  the  confefFion  of  their  faith  infertcd  bebw  .♦ 

1  Shall 

•  Mr.  Clarke  left  a  eonfcllioii  of  his  faith  in  writing,  from 
whence  an  extrafl  was  inferc«d  in  the  records  of  his  chorch,  the 
main  of  which  here  fallows, 

"  The  decree  of  God  is  that  whereby  God  hath  from  eternity 
fet  down  with  himfcif  whatfoever  (hall  come  to  pafs  in  time, 
Eph.  i,  II.  All  things  with  their  caufes,  efFefts,  circumftance* 
and  manner  of  being,  are  decreed  by  God,  Aft«,  ii.  23.  Him 
iting  dtli'vtred  by  the  dtttrminate  tounfel  and  foreknowledge  of  God, 
&c.  Afts,  iv.  28.  This  decree  is  moft  wife,  Rom.  xi,  33.  Moft 
juft,  Rom,  IX.  13.  14.  Eternal,  Eph.  1,  4,  5.  2.  Thcf.  ii.  13. 
Neccflary,  Pfa.  xxxiii.  11.  Prov.  xix.  21.  Unchangable, 
Heb.  vi,  17.  Moft  free,  Rom.  ix.  i8.  And  the  caufe  of  all 
good,  Jajti.  3.  17.  But  not  of  any  tin,  x  John,  i,  5.  The 
fpecial  decree  of  God  concerning  angels  and  men  js  called 
predejiination,  Rom.  viii.  30.  Of  the  former,  viz.  angels,  Htile 
1%  fpoken  in  the  hoiy  Scripture  j  of  the  Utter  m»re  is  revealed, 
not  unprofitable  to  be  known, ^  It  may  be  defined  the  wife,  free, 
juft,  eternal  and  unchangable  fentenoeor  decree  of  God,  detsr- 
mining  to  create  and  govern  man  for  his  fpecial  glory,  viz,  the 
praife  of  his  glorious  mercy  and  juftice,  Rom.  ix,  17,  18,  and 
xi.  36.  Eledlion  is  the  decree  of  God,  of  his  free  love,  grace 
and  mercy,  choofingfomc  men  to  faith,  holinefs  and  eternal  life, 
for  the  prake  of  his  glorious  mwcy,  i  Thef.  i.  4.  2  Thef.  ii- 1 3, 

Rom, 


2s6    HISTORR  OF  the  BAPTISTS 

I  Shall  clofe  this  chapter  with  an  addrefs  of 
Mr.  Roger  Williams  to  governor  Endicot,  concerning 

thefe 

Rom.  viii.  29.  30.  The  caufe  which  moved  the  Lord  to  cleft 
them  who  are  chofen,  was  ncne  other  but  his  meer  good  wiil  and 
pleafure,  Luke  xii,  32.  '3  he  end  is  ihe  manifeftation  of  the 
riches  of  his  grace  and  mercy,  Rom  ix,  23.  Eph.  i.  6.  The 
fending  of  Chrift,  faith,  holinefs,  and  eternal  life,  are  thecfFefts 
of  his  love,  by  which  he  manifefkth  the  infinite  riches  of  his 
grace.  Li  the  fame  orderGod  doth  execute  this  decree  in  time, 
he  did  decree  it  in  his  eternal  counfel,  i  Thef.  v,  9.  2  Thef.  ii. 
13;  Sin  is  the  efFeil  of  man's  free  will,  and  condemnation  is  an 
effed  of  julUce  inHifted  upon  man  for  fin  and  difobedience. — 
A  man  in  this  life  may  be  fure  of  ihis  eleftion,  2  Pet.  i.  10.  i 
Thef.  i.  4.  Yea  of  his  eternal  happinefs — but  not  of  his  eter- 
nal reproisation  ;  for  he  that  is  now  prefane,  may  be  called 
hereafter."     Thus  far  Mr.  Clarke. 

Mr.  Holmes  fays,  "  Having  had  tw©  or  three  requcfts  from 
my  friends  and  brethre-n,  in  Special  my  brother  Robert,  to  give 
fome  information  ef  my  prefent  ftate  and  ftanding  with  reference 
to  the  Lord,  and  my  own  foul,  fhall  as  briefly  as  I  can,  give  ac- 
count thereof. — But  before  I  come  to  fpeak  to  the  point  in  hand, 
1  cannot  forget  the  rock  out  of  which  I  was  hewn,  and  the  fiftern 
out  of  which  I  was  digged  ;  who  was  by  nature  a  child  of  wrath 
as  well  as  others,  and  by  adlual  tranfgrcfTion  added  fin  to  fin,  as 
my  confcience  and  others  did  know.  But  God  had  merey  for 
me  in  llore  when  I  neither  deferved  it  nor  defired  it,  for  he  knows 
whe  are  his  ;  and  the  eledl  fhall  obtain  it,  forever  bL-fTed  be  his 
holy  name,  to  whom  be  glory  forever,  amen.  Now  in  this  faith 
or  belief  I  (land,  not  doubting  but  it  is  the  faith  of  God's  cleft. 

1 .  I  believe  there  is  one  EfTence  or  Being,  even  one  God,  who 
made  heaven  and  earth,  the  waters,  and  aH  things  therein  con- 
tained, who  governs  all  things  by  the  word  of  his  power,  and  hath 
appointed  life  and  death  to  men  and  bounded  their  habitations, 
whofe  providence  extendeth  to  the  leaft  creature  and  aftions. 

2.  I  believe  this  God  is  father  to  our  Lord  Jefus  Chri-ft.  In 
a  fpeeial  underftanding  may  be  diftinguilhed  a>  Father,  Son  and 
Holy  Spirit,  and  yet  but  one  in  Eflence. 

3.  I  believe  that  as  God  made  the  world,  fo  by  his  word  made 
he  man  in  his  own  image  without  fin,  and  gave  him  a  moft  excel- 
lent place  and  being,  giving  him  commandment  what  he  fhould 
do,  andwhat  he  fbould  forbear ;  but  through  the  mallice  of  Satan 
working  with  his  wife  was  deceived  ;  for  Ihe  did  cat,  and  gave 
her  huijband  aisd  he  did  eat,  which  was  the  firft  cauf^of  the  curfc 

to 


liS^i.-]        IN    NEW-EMGL\Na       257 

iheie  arFiirs.     1  he  governor  hnvintr  occaGon  (as  they 
otren  had)  to  write  to  Mr.  Williams  a,  out  the'  peace 

L  1 

to  him,  and  reached  to  all  his  pofterity,  by  which  cams 
death  natural,  and  death  eternal. 

4  I  believe  in  thi^  interini  ot  time  the  Lord  manifefled 
his  great  love  in  that  woid,  the  feed  of  the  woman  Ihall 
break  the  head  of  the  fcrpent,  but  enmity  was  betwcea 
the  two  feeds. 

5.  I  believe  that  at  and  after  time  the  Lord  was  wor- 
fhiped  by  facrifices,  though  darkly  held  forth  to  us. 

6.  I  believe  after  that  God  in  his  own  time  chofe  a 
people  to  himfelf,  And  gave  them  his  laws  and  .taiut^s  ia 
a  fp^cial  manner,  though  he  had  always  his  ciioi'en  ones 
in  every  geusration. 

,  7.  I  believe  wich  this  people  he  made  a  choice  cove- 
nant to  be  their  God,  and  they  to  be  his  peop'e  :  which, 
covenant  theybiake  though  he  wa?  a  fath;'rto  ti^:  m,  and 
was  grieved  for  them,  and  yet  did  not  only  give  them  his 
laws,  but  fcnt  his  prophets  early  and  Ure.but  th-.-y  wanld 
not  hear  ;  and  in  fulnefs  of  time  Tent  his  only  Son  :  buc 
as  t'ley  had  abul'ed  his  prophets,  fo  they  killed  his  only, 
Son. 

8.  I  believe  God  in  his  Son  made  a  new  covenant,  a 
fure  and  everlafting  covenant,  not  like  that  he  made  with 
Ifiael,  of  which  Mofes  that  faithful  fervant  was  mediator, 
but  a  covenant  of  grace  and  peace  throu^^h  his  o  dy  Son, 
that  whofjever  believed  in  him  fhould  not  periih,  but 
have  everlafting  life. 

9.  I  believe  that  all  thofe  that  are  in  this  covenant  o£ 
grace.'ihall  never  fall  away  nor  periih,  but  fliall  have 
life  in  the  prince  of  life,  the  Lora  Jel'us  Chrift  10.  I 
believe  no  man  can  come  tn  the  Son  but  they  that  are 
drawn  by  the  Father  to  the  Son',  and  they  that  come,  hp 
in  no  wife  will  caft  away,  i  f .  £  believe  he  came  to  call 
finners  ta  repentance,  for  the  whole  need  him  not,  but 
they  that  are  iick.  12.  I  believe  that  by  the  ihedding  ot 
his  precious  blood  is  my  reden^ption,  and  not  mine  only 
bjt  all  that  are  or  (hxil  bs  fared.     13.  I  believe  that  as 

he 


^^B    HISTORY  0?   TH£    BAPTISTS 

of  theEnglifh  and  Indians,**    ana   bnvmg  at  the  en- 
trance ot  his  letter  Lid  "  Were  1  as  free   in  my  (p'ri^ 

as 

lie  was  God  fo  was  he  man,  for  he  did  not  take  the  na- 
ture o^aig  Is  buv  the  n.itureof  .Abraham  14.  Ibili  ve 
God  hath  laid  the  iniquity  of  all  his  elt£l:  and  called  ones 
upon  tim,  15  I  Vlic;ve  the  Father  is  fuDy  fitisficd,  and 
the  debr  Is  truly  pnid  to  tlvc  utmoft  »aithii>:^.  am'  rhe 
poor  finntr  is  q^i:it,  and  let  free  from  all  fin  p;ifl- pi  e- 
i'ent  anil  fo  come  f6.  F  b^lkve  the  holy  fcriptures 
Ti^hich  tiftify  of  Chrift  in  dak  Windows  and  types,  ?n<l.sli 
thit  WAS  written  of  Chi  lO  in  the  piophcts  and  plitlms  j 
and  that  he  was  born  of  a  virgin  at  Bcihleheni,  ai  '"  come 
to  his  own  and  they  received  him  not.'  17.  bc'irve  he 
w;*«  put  to  death  and  hanged  upon  a  tree,  calhd  thtr  crofs, 
anl  was  buried,  and  the  third  day  rofe  again  accoidii>j 
to  the  fcriptnrt?.  and  appeared  to  many  18  1  beiieve 
he  afcended  to  his  Father  jnd  littcth  at  his  right  hard, 
having  made  r  qtieft  for  his  ly.  I  bciieve  t'  at  the  Fa- 
thers commandment  and  his  declaration-  of  him  is  to  be 
obferved,  when  the  Father  uttttt d  rhat  voice  laying  this 
is  my  beloved  Son  in  -whom  I  am  tu  II  pleaftd  hear  ye  him  —^ 
10  I  bilicve  there  is  no  lalvation  but  by  him  alone  \  no 
Other  name  under  heaven  by  which  man  can  be  Hived. 
2r.  I  believe  he  is  *ent  unto  the  wt  rid,  and  to  be  publiih- 
ed  to  ali  men  ;  but  (bme.  ye  many  rrjecl  the  counfel  of 
God  ag;\inft  theralclvea.  2i  I  belicvf  n^ne  have  power 
to  rhoofe  falvation,  •■r  to  believe  i»  Chrift  for  hfe  ;  'its 
only  the  gift  of  God.  23.  I  believe  although  God  can 
brir>g  men  to  Chrrfi,  and  caufe  theni  to  believe  in  him  for 
3ife,  yet  he  hath  appointed  an  ordinary  way  to  efFest  that 
great  work  of  faith,  which  i«  by  means  o^  fending  a  mi- 
xiiArv  into  the  world,  to  pub'ifh  rtpeniance  to  the  firj^ner, 
and  filvaiion,  and  thai  by  Jcfus  Chiift  ;  and  they  that 
:»re  fiithfu'  fhall  fave  their  own  fouls  and  fomc  that  hear 
nhcm  24.  I  belif^ve  that  they  that  are  fent  of  God  are 
not  t">  deliver  a  mifiion  of  their  o'^n.  brain,  but  as  it  is  in 
the  fc  ipture  of  truth,  for  holy  men  wrote  as  they  \/ere 
infpired  by  the  holv  Mpii  it  25.  I  believe  the  precious 
gifts  of  the  Spirit  s  teaching  wcfe  procured  by  Chrifts  af. 

fentioa 


;|S  formerly  I    have    been   to  vvrite    unto  you,    you 
IhouU  have  received   anachcr  nunner   of  la.utatioa 

ihan 

fention  and  given  to  men  for  bcge'ting  of  fouls  to  the 
truth,  and  xov  eitabiiihnient  and  conlolatioH  of  thole  that 
aie  turned  to  the  Lord  ,  for  none  ihali  pluck  them  out 
of  his  Father's  hand  26.  1  be.ieve  no  ixinn  is  to  rufli  in- 
to th.  inmiftry  without  a  fpccial  cali  fiom  God  even  as 
^olpei  niin:fUis  hid  of  old,  which  was  the  call  of  the 
holy  .Spirit,  with  foiue  talent  01  talents  to  declare  the 
counicl  of  God  to  poor  linners,  declaring  the  g'-ace  of 
God  through  Jelus  Chiirt,  evfn  to  thofe  that  aie  yet  in 
the  powe.  ot  iatan  :  yea,  to  b  ing  glad  tidings  bv  and  from 
the  Lord  Jsj'us  Chri(t.  27.  I  believe  this  miniltry  is  to 
go  torrh,  and  he  that  hath  received  grace  with  a  t  dent  or 
taiencs,  as  he  hath  received  ivet^y.  of  the  J^ord,  fo  he  is 
freely  to  give,  looking  foi  nofhing  again  but  the  promiie 
of.thc  Loid.  28  1  believe  none  is  to  go  forth  but  by 
comniiin^>n  and  carefully  to  oblerve  the  fame  according 
as  Ch»ill  gave  it  forth  without  adding  or  dimiuifhing  j 
■firft  to  preach  Chrift,  tl.at  is  to  make  difciples.  and  thta 
to  baptisr:  rhtm,  but  not  to  baptize  them  before  they  be- 
lieve ;  aud  ihcn  to  teach  them  what  Chritt  comm;;nd,  d 
them  For  as  the  Father  had  'lis  order  in  ihe  former  dif* 
peri  ati  jn,  fo  hath  the  Son.  In  former  times  the  L  >id 
ip.ike  in  divers  wa^s  and  manners,  bu'  now  hath  he 
ip;..kv.n  by  his  Son  29.  I  believe  hat  as  God  p  -pued  a 
iiegetting  miuift  y,  even  io  do;h  he  alfo  piepair  a  feeding 
mi  dlhy  in  the  church  wheie  a  called  people  ont  of  the 
tvorld.  by  tht  wod  and  Spirit  of  'he  Lord,  aflcmbling 
of  rhemfelve.'  tf)gerher  in  aho'y  broiheihood,  co'  linuing 
in  the  apoftles  do£lri  e,  fcHowfhip,  breaking  bread,  and 
prayer.  30  I  b'^!ivVc  fuch  a  church  ought  to  wait  for 
the  holy  Spirit  of  promife.  on  whom  it  may  fall  and  to 
"^  choofe  oac  amung  themfeives  fiihtr  paftor,  teacher  or  el- 
ders to  rule,  or  deacons  to  fervt:  the  table,  that  other? 
my  give  themfc'ves  to  the  wo^d  and  prayer  and  to  keep 
:h  m  clofe  to  the  Lord,  and  their  tollowfhJp  clea'  and 
^eftinct,  not  to  have  fellowfliip  with  the  unfruitful  works 
?.f  darknefs,  but  rather  to  rcprorc  ihcm,    31.,  I  beiicv!^ 

the 


i;5o    HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPT  ISTS 

than  now,  vvirh  a  'good    confcience  I   can   exprefs  ; 
b'jwever  God  knovvcth   who  are   his,  and  whut   he 

is 

the  church  of  ChriO,  or  this  company  gathered,  are 
bound  to  wait  on  the  Lord  for  the  hipirit  to  heip  ihcm, 
and  have  liberty,  and  are  under  duty,  tliat  thry  may  pro- 
phefy  on^  by  one.  32-1  bchtve  that  the  true  baptifm  of 
the  gofpel,  is  a  vif^ble  belicwt  with  his  own  conjtnt  to 
be  bapt'z.d  in  common  water,  by  dying  or  as  it  wrc 
diowoinp,,  to  hold  forth  death,  buii.d  and  rei'urrection, 
by  a  mclietiger  of  Jclus,  i:uo  the  name  of  the  F/^ther,  Son 
and  ho  y  (pnit.  33.  I  believe  the  promiie  of  «he  Father 
conccrnuig  the  return  of  Ilr;iel  and  Judah,  and  the  com* 
jng  ot  the  L  rd  to  raile  upihL-  dead  in  Chrift,  and  to 
change  them  that  ai  e  ahve,  that  they  may  reign  with  him 
a  thoufand  ye.^-s,  according  to  the  fcripiure.  34.  I  be- 
lieve the  rclurre£tJon  of  the  wicked  to  receive  their  juft 
judgment,  go  ye  ciirfed  tothe  devil  ,^.nd  his  angels  fot  ever. 
3:^.  I  believe  as  eternal  judgment  to  the  wicked,  fu  J  be- 
lieve the  glorious  declaration  oi  the  Lord  facing,  come  y« 
blefTed  of  my  Father,  enter  into  the  joy  of  your  Lord, 
which  joy,  eye  hath  notleen,  ear  hath  not  heard,  neither 
can  it  enter  into  tl^e  heait  of  man  to  conceive  the  glory 
that  God  hath  i  reparcd  for  them  thvit  love  and  wait  for 
hisappcarance  v  wjjkerefore  come  Lord  Jefiis,  come  quickly. 
'  "  For  this  fafth  and  proUfllun  iflaud,  and  jiave  fe.  ltd 
the  fame  With  my  blood  in  Bollon,  in  New-England,  and 
hope  through  tlie  ilreng.th  of  my  Lord,  fliall  be  enabled 
to  witncfs  the  fame  to  death,  although  I  am  a  poor  un- 
worthy creatuie,  and  hnve  nothing  to  plead  or  fly  unto 
but  to  grace,  grace  j  and  have  nothing  to  iti\  on  but  only 
the  mercy,  the  free  mercy  of  God  in  and  thiough  Jcfus 
Chrift  my  Lord  and  fiivi..;ur  ;  to  whom  be  honor,  glory 
and  praii'e  forever  and  rvcr,  Amen,  'ihus  have  |  given 
ybu  an  humble  and  true  account  of, my  ffanding,  aild  of 
my  dear  wife's  {landing  in  our  faith  and  order,  tkat  you 
may  conllJe^'  the  fame,  comparingi^v/hat  is  wi  icten  by  the 
hbiy  fcriptures.  which  arc  our  rule  towards  God  and  man-; 
.commlttnig  this  ;aid  you  to  the  wifdom  nn4  counfel  of 
God.  Your's  in  all  love  to  feifvc  continually  having  you, 
ia  our  pravcis  5  farcvewcll. 

*'  This 


[i%0       IN    NEW. ENGLAND.       nCt 

is  pleafed  to  hide  from  finful  man  in  this  life,  fiiall 

in  that  great  day  be  manifelted  to  all." Mr.  Wil- 

lia.Tis  reteringto  the  fufflrings  <.'f  Mr.  Clarke  and  Mr. 
Holmes  (ays,  "  Sir,  at  the  reading  of  this  line,  the 
i])cech  of  that  wife  woman  of  '1  ekoa  unto  David 
come  frclh  unto  my  thoughts  ;  Speaks  not  the  Kmg 
this  thing  as  one  that  is  guilty  ?  for  will  my  honored 
and  beloved  friend  not  know  me  for  fear  of  being 
difowned  by  his  conlcience.'*  Shall  the  goodneis  and 
integrity  of  hi-  confcience  to  God  caufe  him  to  for- 
get me  ?  Doth  he  quiet  his  mind  with  this  (God. 
knoweth  who  are  his  P  God  hides  from  finful  man  j 
God  will  reveal  before  aU  .'*)  Oh  how  comes  it  then 
that  I  have  heard  io  often,  heard  fo  lately,  and  heard 
fb  much,  that  he  thai  fpeaks  fo  tenderly  for  his  own, 
hath  yet  fo  little  refpccl,  mercy  or  pity  to  the  like  con- 
fciencious  perfuafions  of  other  men  !  are  all  the  thou- 
fands  of  millions  of  millions  of  confciences  at  home 
and  abroad,  fuel  only  for  a  prifon,  for  a  whip,- 
for  a  flake,  for  a  gallows !  are  no  confciences 
to  breath  the  air,  but  fnch  as  fuit  and  fample  his !. 
may  not  the  Mofl  High  be  pleafed  to  hide  from  his 
iS  well  as  from  the  eyes  of  his  fellow-fervants,  fel- 
low-mankind, fellow-Englifli  ?  Who  canfliut  when 
be  will  oren  ?  and  who  can  open,  when  he  that  hath 
the  key  of  David  will  fhut  ?— 

**Obj MICTION.  But  what  makes  this  to  here- 
tics, blafphemers,  feducers,  to  them  that  fin  againfi: 
their  confcience  (as  Mr.  Cotton  faith)  after  convic- 
tion .'*  Firlt,  I  anfwer,  he  was  a  tyrant  that  pur  an 
innocent  man  into  a  bear's-fldn,  aad  ^o  caufed  him  as 

a 

**  This  for  Mr.  John  Angher,  and  my  brother  Robert 
Holmes,  and  my  brother- in  law,  and  fifters,  with  M;(ry 
Nonly,  and  to  them  that  love  and  fear  the  Lord.  For 
Robert  Holmes  in  theparifhofManchefter — JLancafhiie." 
Obsdiah  Holniei^s  manufcri^tf  1675. 


96i    HISTORY  OF  T»E  BAPTISTS 

a  wild  bcaft  to  be  baited  to  death.  Secondly,  This 
is  the  common  cry  ot  haunters  or  pcr{tcuioTi>, heretus^ 
blafphemers.  Sec.  and  why,  bat  tor  crulling  the  |  er- 
jfecutors  conf'ciences  (it  may  be  but  their  lUj^Jtrftuionb) 
whether  Turkiih,  popifli,  protcuani,  &c.  1  his  is 
jhe  outcry  of  the  pope  and  pre'aics,  and  of  the 
"JScocch  prefbyter'ans,  who  would  fire  ..11  the  wor;d, 
lo  be  avenged  on  he  (e^l-irijn  heretics,  the  blaf- 
phemdus  heretics,  the  (uducing  heretics,  &c.  had 
it  not  pleafed  the  God  of  heaven  who  bounds  ihe 
infolenc  rage  of  the  furious  ocean,  to  raife  up  a  Iccond 
Cromwel,  to  fhy  the  fuiy  of  the  oppre(K)r,  whether 
Engliili.  Scottilh,  popilh,  prefbyterian,  independaat, 

SiC. 

**  Let  it  not  bp  offenfire  in  your  eyes,  that  I  fin* 
gle  our  a  point,  a  caufe  of  o>y  bantJJjment,  wherein  I 
grciitly  fear  one  or  two  fad  evils  have  betallen  your 
foul  and  confcience.  The  point  is  that  ol  the  civil 
tnagijlratsT  dealing  in  matters  ^f  confcience  and  rC' 
Ugton,  as  alfo  of  perfecuting  any  tor  any  matter  mere- 
ly ^/V//Wur/  and  religious.  Ihe  two  evils  intimated 
are  the(e :  Firft,  I  fear  you  cannot  after  fo  much 
light,  and  fo  much  profeflion  to  t^ie  contrary  (^noc 
only  to  myfclTolten  in  private,"^  but)  before  many 
witncffes  ;  I  fay,  I  fear  you  cannot  fay  and  a^t  lb, 
much,  againft  lo  niaay  ftveral  confciences,  former 
and  latter,  but  wit »  great  checks,  great  threatr.ing? 
and  inward  throws  of  confcience.  Secondly,  If  you 
fhali  thank  God.,  that  it  is  npi  fo  with  you,  but  that 
]fou  do  what  confcience  bids  you  in  God*s  prclencc, 
tipon  God*s  warrant,  I  muR  then  be  humbly  faithful 
\o  tell  you,  that  I  fear  your  underprizmg  of  holy 
light,  hath  put  out  the  candle,  and  the  eye  of  con- 
ference in  thefe  particulars,  and  that  delufions,  (trong 

del  ufions, 

*  Governor  Endicot  was  once  a  member  cf  Sale^ 
sfeurch,  under  Mr,  Wiiiiam's  miaiftry. 


ti  6^1.3       t^    NEW-EN  GLAND.       «% 

tlulnfions,  and  that  fro'n  God  (by  fatan's  fubiUty) 
harh  feized  upon  your  very  fours  belief,  becaule  you 
prized  not,  loved  not  the  perfecuted  Son  ol"  God  in 
his  defpifed  truths  and  (crvants — 1  defire  to  f^v  it 
tremhl'ngly  and  mournful ly,  1  know  nor  which  way 
he  will  pleafe  to  raifc  his  glory,  only  I  know  my  duty 
my  corifcience  and  lijy  love  all  which  int  »tcc  me  lo 
knock,  to  call,  to  cry  at  thf  gate  of  heavtn,  and  at 
your's,  and  to  prefent  you  with  triis  loving  though 
loud  and  faithful  noift ,  and  found  of  a  few  grounds  of 
deeper  exaininaiion  of  boih  our  fouU  and  confciences„ 
Uprightly  and  impartially  at  the  holy  and  dreadful 
tribunal  of  him  that  is  appointed  the  judge  of  all 
the  living  and  thr  dead. 

'*  Pi  ,'ieafcd  tht,n  (honoured  f-r)  to  remember  that 
the  thiMg  which  wr  Ciii  confcience  is  oF  fuch  a  na« 
ture  elp<'c  ally  in  Engliflhmen,  as  once  a  pope  of 
Kome  at  the  fuffering  of  an  Englilhman  in  Rome 
himfelf  oblerved  that  although  it  be  groundlefs, 
falfe  an  i  deluded,  ye^  it  is  not  by  any  arguments  of 
torments  eafily  removed,  I  fpeak  not  of  the  ftreatn 
of  the  multitude  .of  all  nations,  which  have  their 
ebbings  and  fliowings  in  rel'gion(as  the  longcli  (word, 
sn  1  (hongcn  arm  oj  flclh  carries  it*)  bur  I  fpeak  of 
confcience,  a  perfuafion  fixed  in  the  mind  and  heart 
of  a  man,  which  inforceth  him  to  judge  (as  Paul  faid 

of 

♦  The  oUowing  words  are  remarkable,  viz.  **  It  is  maic 
by  lea.  ned  ^nd  j.u(iicious  writes,  one  of  the  undoubtcii 
r'gUrs  of  r  verignty  to  determine  what  religion  (Kali  be 
r  blickiy  or  ifcffcd  and  exercifed  within  their  d  ^minions. 
v\  iiy  cU<  I.'  vTf  in  N.^w-England  thar  p-ofefs  the  doer- 
rjfie  of  Caivia,  ycr  pradife  the  difcipline  of  them  ca'Kd 
in  :  pendent,  or  congtegaiior\al  churches,  but  becaur-  the 
anthority  of  th*  cou-  try  is  pcrfnaded.  th^t  is  m  ft  asree- 
able  >c  the  mind  of  G.^d  '  Ms  Hubbard'^  ekitioa  iei'* 
Bi.oa  at  Cofton,  May  3,  1676,  p  3$. 


5^4   HISTORY  OF   tKE   BAPTISTS 

ofhimfelf  a  perrecnror)and  to  do  fo  and  Co  with  refpe^l 
to  God,  his  worlhip,  &c.  This  con(cience  is  fi)und 
in  all  mankind,  more  or  Icfs. — To  this  piirpofe  lee 
me  freely  without  offence  remember  you  (a^  1  did 
Mr.  Clarke,  newly  come  np  irom  his  (ufferings 
amongfl  you)  I  (ay,  remember  yon  of  che  itory  1  did 
him,  of  William  Hartly  in  queen  {iliz^bcth  her  days, 
who  receiving  ihe  fentence  of  hanging — fpakc  con- 
fidently (as  afterward  lie  luifered)  what  teli  ^vou  me 
of  hanging,  if  I  had  ten  thoufanJ  millions  of  lives , 
J  would  f'p'nd  them  all  for  the  faith  of  Rome.  Sir, 
I  am  far  from  glancing  th.e  leatt  counienance  on  ihs 
confciences  of  papifls — all  that  lobfervc  is,  that  bold- 
refs  and  confidence,  zeal  and  refolution,  as  it  is  com- 
mendable in  a  kind  when  it  ferioufiy  relpetffs  a  deity, 
fo  alfo,  the  greatefl  confidence  bach  fomctimcs  need 
of  the  greatefl  fcarch  and  examination. —  Wife  men 
life  to  enquire,  what  motives,  what  occallons,  win: 
fnares,  what  temptations  were  there  which  moved,  al- 
lured, &c. — Surely  fir,  the  baits,  the  temptations,  the 
fnares  hid  to  catch  you  were  not  few  nor  common. — It 
is  nofmall  offer, the  choice  and  applaufea.)  1  rule  over 
fo  many  towns,  fo  many  holy,  fo  many  wife,  in  fuch 
a  holy  way  as  you  believe  you  are  in — I  Cannot  but 
fear  and  lament,  fhac  fome  of  thefe  and  oth'ers  have 
been  too  flrong  and  potent  with  you. — Sir,  1  muft  be 
humbly  bold  to  fay,  it  is  impoffible  for  any  man  or 
men  to  mainiaih  their  Chriit  by  the  (word,  and  to 
worfhip  a  true  Chrift  !  to  fight  againff  all  confciences 
oppofite  to  theirs,  and  not  to  fight  againl't  God  in 
fome  of  them,  and  to  hunt  after  the  precious  life  of 
the  true  Lord  Jefus  Chriff.  Oh  remember  whether 
your  principles  and  confciences,  mufl  in  time  and 
opportunity  force  you  1 — yourfelf  and  others  have 
faid  it,  by  your  princip'cs  fuch  whom  you  count  here- 
tics, blafphcmcrs,  feduccrs,  ouoht  to  be  put  lo  death. 

Yoii 


ri6j-i.3      IN    NEW.EMC?LA!ID.      ±6^ 

luu  viannot  be  faithful  to  your  principles  and  con- 

fcienccs,  if  you  fatisfy  iheni  with    biu   imprifoiiing, 

lining,  whipping  antl  bariiHiing  the  heretics,  and  by 

faying  that  baniihing  is  a  kind  of  death,  as  fone  chict* 

with  you  formerly  fuid  in  my  cafe. — I  end  with  aa^ 

hii.nble  cry  to  the  father  of  aiercies,  that  you  may 

take  David's  counfel,   and    iiiently    commune   witli 

yoar  own  heart  upon  your  bed.  rotlcft  upon  your  owa 

fpirit,  ,and   behevG   him  chat  (aid  to  his  oyer-zcalous 

difciples,  you  kno-w  ^not  what  fpirit  you  arc  of.     That: 

no  ilcep  may  feize  your  eyes,  nor  ilumber  upon  your 

eye-iids,  i^ntil  your  ferious  thoughts  have  calmly,  and 

unchangubly,    through  help  from  Chrifl,   fi.-red,    hrit 

on  a  msderatim  towards  the  fpirit  and  coafcieaces 

of  all  mankind,  merely  differing  fro  n,  or  oppoilng; 

yours  with   only  religious  and  fpiritual  oppofition.— 

Sc^condly,  a  deep  and  cordial  refolution  to  (earch,   to 

lillen,   to   pray,  to  fafl,    and   more   fearfully,    more: 

tracmblingly  to   encjuire  what  the  holy  plcafure,    and 

the   holy  mylteries  of  the  MOST  HOLY  are;  K   , 

•whom  I  humbly  defire  to  \iCyyour  poor  fallow  fe/vantp 

unfcignsdiy,  refpedive,  and  faithful. 

RoGEK.  .Williams."* 
How  ^happy  had  it  been  for  New-England,  and 
for  governor  Endicot  in  particut^V,  if  they  had  then 
regarded  this  faithful  admonition  of  their  old  friend  I 
tut  difregarding  of  it,  Mr.  Williams's  words  a  i'cvi 
years  after  were  fully  verified,  when,  undcf  gover- 
wax  Endicoi's  adminiflration,  the  blood  of  the  cjuakers 
Vv-3S  (hcd,  which  has  left  an  indellible  ftuin  upon  their 
cUaraciers,  and  "  luliied  the  glory  of  ihcir  former 
fuiTerings  from  the  bilhops  ;  for  now  it  appeared  that 
ihe  New-England  ^i^r/7a«j-  were  no  betiec  friends  to 
M  \\\  ilbcrry 

*  Appendix  of  his  reply  to  Cotton,   \6^i,  p.  393  '^^ 
313.  l\h.  CouQu  dkd  the  23d  of  Deccioibcv  i^xi  yeae. 


z66    HISTORY  of    the   BAPTISTS 

liberty  o^cnnfciencc  than  rbeir  nckerfafics,  nnd  jhat 
the  queition  between  ihci^  wa<5  nor,  whether  one 
party  of  chriftians  Oiould  have  power  ro  opprefs  ano* 
ther,  but  A-ho  lliojld  have  ihai  power  r'*^ 


CHAP.         V. 

A  variety  of  events,  from  165 1  to  1664* 

ARF.VIEW  of  1 65 1,  prefents  before  ns  firch 
a  dark  clouci  znd  threatning  gloom,  upon  ihe 
ciufe  of  bel-evcrs  baptifm,  and  true  fibcrry  of  con- 
Iclence,  as  mvii\  affc£^  every  heart  that  is  not  cxtreao^ly 
©bJurate.  The  fi  lends  of  that  caufe  had  been  io 
cruelly  treated  in  Europe,  that  a  niirnber  of  them  fit  d 
)nro  Asncrica,  where  a  perfccuting  temper  ioUowcd 
:hem,  and  expelled  them  out  of. the  Miinachufetta 
colony  ;  but  God  gave  ihem  favor  in  the  eyes  of 
the  heathen,  Jroni  whom  they  obtained  a  grant  of 
lands,  to  bet^in  the  f,rl\  civil  izovcrncnent  upon  that 
ctrer  allo^ved  equally  liberty  oi  conscience  fince  our 
Saviour  died  for  U5.  Wiih  grent  h.iZard  snd  cxpenc^; 
]M  .  Wiilm.m'?  had  procured  a  ehnrtcr  for  that  purpof^, 
Wliich  they  had  enjoyed  about  fevcn  years,  when  alas  ! 
"Mr.  Coddin-^ton,  who  hud  the  deed^  and  records  of 
thfe  ifbids  in  his  own  hand^^r  ^'Cfit  to  Fngland,  and 
procured  froTTfc  the  courvcd  of  (tare  a  com  million, 
dnred  \p'u  g.  i6f  1,  C\,{ncA  by  J  Hradfhaw,  conltf!- 
tutinc  hiiTT  g;ovcrn<)r  of  thi*  diunds,  to  rule  them  witli 
a>  council'  o*  fi<  incn,  nomiflrned  by  the  people  and 
appiovod  by  himfclf  ;>  wiiicli  Iplit  this  litrle  colony 
jhro  '•'A'o- ,  art.?,  and  ^'r.  Clurke  and  lis  brctJiren  were 
to  fubmit  to'  a  governor  that  they   h|d  no  hnnd    in 


NeaiVtlftory  o£  N.  £.  vol.  I*  p-  jza 


chuling, 


[1651.1      IS    KEW-EN  GLAND,      l6^ 

cliufing,  and  their  cOares  lay  at  his  mercy  This 
melancholy  news  arrived  juii  about  the  lime  thit  he 
and  hii  breihrcn  had  been  fo  cruelly  handled  in  the 
Maffachufeus,  only  for  vifiiing  and  v/orlhiping  with 
an  aged  brother  there.  At  the  fame  time,  a  party  both 
o\  Englifii  Jl|id  favages  were  fupported  m  the  heart 
of  Mr.  WilliAfiis's  part  of  the  colony,  in  oppofiriun  to 
all  the  good  orders  that  he  endeavored  to  ellablilli 
among  them.  And  what  could  they  now  do  !  where 
could  they  go  for  relief  !  banillicd  from  their  mother 
kingdom,  and  from  neighbouring  colonies,  who  were 
exerting  all  their  power  to  divide  and  conquer  them  ; 
and  a  man  of  the  greatefl:  worldly  note  among  them, 
(cemed  as  if  he  was  like  to  do  it  eircflually.^ 

Capt.  Johnfon  at  that  time  faid,  "  familiils,  fcek- 
ers,  antlnomians,  and  anahaptifts,  are  (o  ill  armed, 
ihat  they  think  it  hciX  flecping  in  a  whole  fkin,  fear-, 
ing  that  if  the  day  of  buttle  once  t^o  on,  they  i;  ail 

fall 


a 


*  Near  the,  fame  tim?  the  court  at  Boften  impofed 
large  ^v.c  upon  the  church  in  MaK!en,  for  calling  a  luaa 
to  beiheio  minifleV,  withouuhe  approbation  of  the  rulers 
and  other minifters  j  and  as  they  had  before  a  law  againft 
gaihering  churches  v/it!\out  their  confent,  their  afltinbly 
now  made  another  whciein  tht'y  enaclc-d,  '*  That  no 
niinifter  thould  be  called  unto  oflke  in'  any  of  the  chiu"- 
ches,  without  the  approbation  of  iomif  of  the  magillrates, 
as  well  as  the  neighbouring  churches  ;  on  which  giound. 
in  the  year  1653,  the  court  would  not  allow  the  nonU 
church  in  Bofton  to  call  Mr.  Powell  a  well  jjiirted  thougli 
illetirate  peiibn  to  th^ft.ited  office  cf  a  pubic  teacher  or 
minifler  ;  wherefore  x\\t  psoplf'  contented  thcmtelves 
with  his  being  called  to  the  place  ofa  jiilin.i>  elder. — -And 
whereas  the  plantations  of  New-England  had  never  as  yet 
been  acquainted, v/ith  the  way  of  paying  liihcs  for  the  I'up- 
port  of  the  minillry,  it  was  now  left  to  the  p<^wer  of  the 
county  courts  tliroughout  the  whole  jin-ifdiction,to  make 
fpfficient  provifion  for  the  rni'.inre nance  of  the  UiU.ift!  yi-A. 
^c  ref^>edive  town?  of  iia  (,olc;ny.'"' 


i?68    HISTORY  of  thi-   BAPTISTS 

fall  among  antichiins  armies  ;  ibercfnre  rhey  cry  out 
like  citw.irds,  if  you  wiil  let  me  t.lone,  I  will  let  you. 
silone  ;  hut  affurccliy  the  Lord  ChriR  hath  fnid,  he^ 
that  is  not  loith  us,  is  o^nivfl  us  ;  there  is  no  room 
m  his  army  for  ioleratoyiJisP\  .  Hat!  this  been  true, 
how  could  Mr.  Williains.  and  Mr.  Clarj<Qbavc  perfc- 
Tcrcd  like  hero-'s,  in  the  csiife  of  equity  ?mi  jihcrty  as 
they  did  I  for  being  rcquelb^d  by  their  injured  ncipji- 
bours,  they  again  crolTcd  the  boiilerous  ocean,  rnd  ap* 
peared  as  advocates  for  them  nt  tlie  Bririlb  court  ;  and 
p|(b  publiOied  to  the  world  their  pleas  for  equal  li- 
berty of  confcience  ;  and  where  can" rny  writers  be 
found  of  fo  early  dare,  v/ho  defended  rivu  important 
right  of  mankind,  fo  well  as  they  did  ?  Mr.  Locke's 
CKcellent  letters  upon  that  fubjeci  verc  written  near 
forty  years  afierward. 

A  L!TTL.K  look  bock  will  givea-more  clear  ord  juft 
view  oHhe  important  concerns  of  Mr.  "V^'illinms's 
agency  at  thi-  time.  When  the  commiiTioncrsof  the 
united  colonies  met  at  Plymouth  Septenibcr  7,  1648, 
JvJr.  Coddington  and  Capi,  Partridge  tried  ior  a  con- 
iVderncy  with  them,  but  were  denied  it,  iinlefs  tb.ey 
would  coUiC  in  as  part  of  PlymouiV  colony.  ^\t. 
Jlenry  Bull  then  complained  to  tlicm,  that  fome 
!Narrag<infet  Indians  had  bei't  him,  rrd  done  hini 
ptl'ier  injuries ;  and  Mr.  J^.hn  Smith  alliftant  for  War-.- 
v\ick,  fent  a  writing  by  Mr.  Holden  and  Warner,  in 
the  bcl'.alf  of  the  whole  town,  "  whcrejn  they  com- 
plain,  among  otiier  things,  of  divers  injuries,  infolcnces 
rnd  afi'ronts  ofTcred  them  by  the  Indians  that  are 
a^out  them,  and  near  inhabitants  fo  theoi,  as  namely, 
J<illing  their  cai.tle,  about  a  hundred  hogs,  ybufirg 
their  tervanrs  when  (hey  tnke  them  alone,  fometimcA 
quaking  violent  cntrrnce  into  ilicir  houfes,  and  (Irik- 
ing  tl'ic  m;;i}'ers  thereof,  Oeal'mg  and  purloining  their 
gopds  ;  and  hcveujon  do  eilrncitly  dehrc  to  know  the 
'  *■  ^fiiid.s 

-'•  Jojjnfon,  r.-^ge  '^l- 


[165.3       IN  NEW-ENGLAND.       269 

jiiinds  of  the  cornmiiTioners  herein,  anu  to  rcccivq 
advicetVom  them.*'  Upon  which  the  commiflioncra 
gave  them  a  \viiting  to  the  faclicn-s  and  (Others  to 
w  arn  them  "  to.  pre^•ent  and  abftain  from  all  Inch' 
mifcarriges  for  the  fiUiire,  and  if  any  of  them  re* 
ceive  any  injury  from  the  Engliih, upon  complaint 
in  diie  place  and  order,  iatisfaclion  iliall  be  endea- 
vored them  according  to  jufiice,  as  the  like  will 
be  expcfted  from  them  "  When  the  commifl'on- 
crs  met  at  Bofton.  July  23, 1649  :  Warwick  wrote 
again  to  them  ;  but  they  refufedr  to  do  any  thing 
for  their  defence,  till  they  could  find  under  what 
colony  their  plantation  fell,  and  it  was  then  difput- 
ed  whether  it  belonged  to  the  Maffachuletts,  or 
Plymouth,  and  they  advifed  the  latter-to  take  it. 
W^hcn  the  commilhojiers  met  again  at  Hartford, 
September  5th,  1650,  they  received  a  letter  from 
IMr.  Eafton  preHdent,  in  the  name  of  the  pouncil 
of  that  colony,  in  which  he  declared,  that  "  Ilhode- 
Illand  and  Warwick  were  combined  anci  bound 
mutually  to  fupport  one  another."  Upon  this  the 
Commiflioners  mention  a  former  article  of  advice 
Vi'hich  they  had  received  from  the  honorable  com- 
mittee of  parliament,  "  that  in  this  and  like  caies 
tlic  bounds  of  patents  (liould  be  firft  fct  out  by  a 
jury,  of  iminterefted  perfons,  and  that  all  inhabit- 
ing within  the  Hunts  Jo  fet  fortli,  fliould  fall  under 
the  government  eitablifhed  by  patent."  But  in- 
ilead  of  following  this  direction,  after  mentioning 
tliat  the  inhabitants  of  Warwick  claimed  an  intereit 
in  Mr.  Williams's  patent,  and  rcfuled  to  be  brought: 
under  the  Ivlaflacluifetts  government,  they  advifed, 
the  authority  of  Plymouth  "  forthwith  to  rcfume 
Xhc  right  they  formci  ly  had  by  patent  to  the  place. '^ 
And  that  if  the  inhabitants  refufed  to  fubmit  to. 
^]\rm.  tiien  the  advice  ^faid  committee  fhould  be 

til  ken 


£;o      HISTORY  of  the  BAI>TISTS 

taken,  and  if  the  fame  was  not  con^ plied  witb^ 
♦'  that  real  damages  duly  proved,  be  levied  by  ie* 
gal  force,  thoiii^h  with  as  much  modcratior\'  and 
teDderncfti  as  the  calc  will  permit."  *  1  his  was  the 
treatment  that  was  Cicwn  to  Warwick  ;  and  hear- 
ing of  what  Mr.  Coddington  had  done,  they  join- 
ed with  Providence  in  lending:  Mr.  Williams  to 
England.  ^Viiiia:n  Arnold  hired  a  mefienger  le- 
crctjy  to  cany  a  letter  to  Boiion,  to  apprize  their 
rulers  of  it,  |  but  they  were  notified  of  it  in  a  bet- 
ter wav  :  For  at  a  nieetinc  o^  the  commirnoners  of 
the  united  colonies  at  New-Haven,  September  4, 
1 65 1,  they  received  the  following  letter,  viz. 

*'  May  it  pleafe  this  honored  comrnictee  to  take 
knowledge,  that  we  the  inhabitants  of  Shawomet 
alias  AVarwick,  having  imdergonc  divers  opprcfli- 
ons  and  wrongs,  amounting  to  great  damage  iince 
we  firlf  poHellcd  this'  place  ;  being  forced  thereby 
to  feck  to  that  honorable  ilatc  of  Old-Kngland  for 
relief,  which  did  inevicably  draw  great  charge  up- 
on us,  to  the  further  irtipairing  of  our  eftates ;  and 
finding  favor  for  redrcis,  were  willing  to  wave 
for  that  time  (in  regard  tt>  the  great  troubles  and 
employment  that  then  lay  on  that  ftate)  all  other 
Iciler  wrongs  \vc  then  underwent,  io  that  we  might 
be  replaced  in  and  upon  this  our  purchafed  pofief- 
lion,  and  enjoy  it  peaceably  for  time  to  come,  with- 
out difturbantc  or  molellation  by  thofe  irom  whom 
we  had  formerly  iufiered.  But  fince  our  gracious 
grant  from  the  honorable  parliament,  in  replace- 
ing  of  us  in  this  place,  we  have  been  and  daily  are 
prelTed  with  intoleiabic  grivences,  to  the  eatingmp 
of  our  labours,  and  waiiling  of  our  eftates  mak- 
ing our  lives^  together  with  our  wives  and  chil- 
5  drenj 

*  Rscordi  of  the  Vniitd  Colonies. 

I  Maffachuff.ts  hiftory,  vol.  3.    P?ge  ;37— :^5^. 


[*!65t1       tN   NEW-iNGLANt).       lyi 

drsa,  bitter  and  iincoiTifortable  ;  inromuch,  that 
gro.iniig  under  oar  burthens,"  we  are  cdnftrained 
to  make  our  addrefs  to  the  honorable  parliament 
and  rtate,  once  again,  to  nmake  our  jufl  complaint 
againft  our  cau fiefs  moleftors,  who  by  themfelves 
and  their  agents,  are  the  only  caufe  of  this  our  re- 
uttering  of  our  diftreffed  condition.  May  it  plealb 
therefore  this  lionored  alFembly,  to  take  notice 
of  this  our  lolemn  intelligence  (given  unto  you 
as  the  moll  public  author) fed  fociety  appertain- 
ing unto,  and  inftitutcd  in  the  united  colonics, 
wjictm  our  coinplaints  do  concern)  "^that  we  are 
riow  prepanng  ourfelves  with  all  convenient  fpced 
for  Old-England,  to  make  our  grievances  knowtt 
again  to  the  Hate,  which  fall  upon  us  by  rcafon^ 
that  the  order  of  parliament  concerning  us  hath 
not  been  obferved,  nor  the  enjoyment  of  our  grant- 
ed privileges  permitted  to  us,  that  wc  are  *;  it  were 
bought  and  fold  from>  one  patent  and  jurifdicliori 
to  another.  In  that  we  have  been  prohibited  and 
charged  to  acquit  this  place  iince  the  order  of  par- 
liament ffiven  out  and  known  to  the  contrarv. 
in  that  we  have  had  warrants  fent  us,  to  fummoii 
lis  to  the  Mailachuretts  court, and  oflicers  employed 
amongft  us  for  that  purpofe.  In  .that  th.Q\c  bar* 
berous  Indians  about  us,  with  evil  minded  Englilhi^ 
mixed  among  us,  under  pretence  of  fomc  former 
perfonal  fubjccli(m  to  the  government  of  the  IJk'IaC 
fachufetts  countenacing  of  them,  ceafe  not  to  kill 
our  cattle,  offer  violence  to  our  familes,  vilefy  au- 
thoricy  of  parliament  vouchfafcd  to  us,  juftifying 
their  practices  with  many  menaces  and  threatn- 
ings,  as  being  under  the  proteciiion  of  the  Mafia- 
chufettSr  In  that  we  have  lx:cn  retrained  this 
feven  or  eight  years  part  of  con}mo%  commerce  in 
the  country,  and  that  only  for  masters  of  confci- 

encev 


\^i      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

ence.  In  that  our  e(l:ites  formerly  taken  from  us 
regain  yet  unrclh^rcdj  with  thcie  aduitions  there- 
unto. Thcfe  and  tlie  like  arc  the  grounds  of 'qur 
complaints,  with  oiirfeiiousdciire  that  you  would 
be  plcafed  to  take  notice  of  them,  as  our  folcmri 
intelligence  given  hereof,  that  as  yoiuielves  lliall 
think  ir.eet,  you  may  give  further  fealonable  intel- 
ligence to  your  levera'l  colonics  whom  it  may  con- 
cern; fo  that  their  agent  or  agents  may  have  fca- 
fonable  iiillructions  to  make  anfwer,  and  we  here- 
by (Iiall  acquit  oin'felves,  that  we  ofi'er  not  to  pro- 
ceed in  thfc  our  complaints,  without  giving  due 
and  fealbnable  notice  thereof. 

By  me  John  Ga  EENF.jy^;;.  Clerk* 
III  behalf  of  the  tozvn  of  V/nrivick. 

Warwick,  the  lirll  of  September  1651. 
This  brought  matters  to  a  clofc  trial  amon'^ 
them  and  the  commiflioncrs  for  the  MafiachnfetuPi 
(who  were  IN'Ir.  Simon  Bradilrect,  and  Mr.  WiHiain 
Hathorne,  Efq'rs,)  made  a  long  dcc'aration,  how 
Plymouth  gave  up  their  right  in  that  land  to  them 
In  1 643  ;  which  was  approved  of  by  iill  the  com- 
miflioners,  who  advi'cd  them  to  proceed  againd 
Gorton  and  his  company  ;  and  had  lilcntly  allcnt- 
ed  to  what  they- had  done  from  time  to  time  fmcc  ; 
and  tliat  wlien  in  16.1Q  tliey  were  advifed  to  return 
thofe  lands  back  to  Plymouth,  their  court  lent  two 
deputies  to  the  aflembly  at  Plymouth,  with  orders 
to  offer,  to  "  refign  and  fubmit  the  laid  lands,  and 
.  pcrfons  reliding  thereon  to  the  government  of  Ply- 
jnouth  ;   they  only  promifing  to  do  equal  juificc 
both  to  iMi-^'iOi  and  Indians  there,  according  to 
our  engage»nents  ;    but  the  government  of  Ply- 
mouth cholc^.t)  or  to  ratify  the  aforefaid  rcfign- 
mf-nt  of  their  coijimilHoners."     After  wliich  they 
had  ^'  out  of  their  o\^  treafurv  allov/ed'  a  hfrge 


[t65i]      IN   NEW-ENGLAND.       273 

gratuity  of  coril  totlie  Indians  under  their  govern*, 
mcnt  their,  to  keep  them  alive,  the  cattle  of  Gor-. 
ton's  company  having  4eitroyed  moit  of  thdrs, 
r.ather  than  force  to  compel  them,  till  all  oiher 
means  and  ways  of  prudence  for  iffuing  thcic  ajid 
the  like  diiferences  were  ufed.**  And  cioied  wicli 
afking  what  aid  the  other  jurifdiclibns  would  afFor4 
them,  for  the  righting  their  injured  and  opprefied 
people,  and  bringing  dehnquents  to  condign  puni/h^ 
W(?/j/f'TheConnecticut  and  New-Haven  co«imi(Ii.on«. 
crsanfwered,  by  owning  that  they  had  their  advice 
in  1643,10  proceed  ag^iinflGorton's  company,  and 
that  when  Plymouth  commilfioners  yidded  up 
their  right  to  the  Maffachufetts,  the  others,  benig 
neither  concerned^  nor  underjianding  where  the  right 
lay,faw  no  caujl'  to  dijjent,  &c.  The  comraiilioners 
for  Plymouth  (who  were  Mr.  John  Brown,  and 
Mr.  Timothy  Ilatherley)  declared  that  what  wa$5 
done  by  the  ccmnuihoners  for  their  colony  in  1643, 
in  refigning  of  laid  lauds  to  the  MafTachufetts,  wa^; 
not  at  all  in  their  power,  neither  could  the  MafTa- 
chufetts receive  any  fuch  refignation  without  injur- 
ing the  third  and  lixth  articles  of  their  confedera- 
tion ;  what  right  the  authority  of  the  Malfachu- 
fetts  had  to  fend  for  Samuel  Gorton  and  company, 
*'  inhabiting  fo  far  out  of  their  jurifdicfion  they 
underlland  not.'^  And  as  to  what  the  governor 
of  Plymouth  and  forae  others  did  in  1650,  abouC 
ratifying  that  former  refignation  of  Warwick  to 
the  Maffachufetts,  they  faid  they  had  "  protefted 
againft  it  in  the  court  of  Plymouth,  as  being  di- 
tecfly  contrary  to  the  order  of  the  honorable  com- 
mittee of  the  parliament  of  England,  and  contrary 
to  the  articles  of  confederations  with  the  reft  of  the 
colonies.  And  whereas  we  are  infokiied,  that  the 
CO  art  of  thp  Maffachufetts  hg.ys  lately  fent  ou£ 
N  u  ieveral 


274      HISTORY  OF  THE  BATTISTS 

fcveral  warrants  to  feveral  perfons  inhabiting  War- 
wick and  Pawtiixet,  and  have  made  I'eizurc  upon 
lome  of  their  cilatvis,  we  do  hereby  proteft  againit 
fiich  proceedings  iF  any  thei'e  be  "  *  The  Maffa- 
^hufetts  were  fo  unwilling  to  have  thefc  things  L\id 
before  the  parhament,  that  they  pr.t  Mr.  Williams 
to  great  dijlrejfes  only  for  attempting  to  take  his 
paflage  tlirough  their  colony. 

The  town  oi  Newport  ligned  an  engageinent 
and  rcqliea:  to  Mr.  Clarke  m  thefe  worcs,  "  We 
whofe  names  arc  here  underwritten,!  beirg  refolv- 
cd  to  make  our  addrefs  unto  the  parliament  of 
JEngland,  in  point  of  our  lands  and  liberties,  do 
earncllly  defirc  thofe  fix  men  ihat  were  laftchofen, 
the  council  of  the  town  of  Newport,  and  Inch  as 
they  {hall  confult  with,  to  improve  their  bell  abili- 
ties for  tlie  mana^ino:  thereof  -•  We  alio  do  ea'-neft:- 
Jy  requeft  Mr.  John  Clarke  to  do- his  utmoft  endea- 
vors in  folliciting  oui'  caulein  England  :  And  U'c 
do  hereby  engage  ourfelves  to  the  utmoft  of  our 
eftates  to  alltu  them,  being  refolved  in  the  mean 
time  peaceably  to  yield  atl  due  fubjeclion  iinto  the 
picfent  power  let  over  us.  Witnefs  our  hands  the 
15th  of  Ocfobcr,  m  the  yeai?  of  our  Lord  God, 
1 65 1. — He  failed  for  England  the  next  month. 

Mr. 

*   Recorif  of  the  United  Culcniet. 

■\  This  was  ilgrc  i  by  John  Eafton,  James  Barker,  John  Cran- 
fton,  Robi-rt  Craw,  John  Sheldon,  Siinuel  Hubbard,  John  AHtn, 
Henry  Bull,  Kdward  Thurfton,  NaibHniel  Weft,  William  Dj're, 
William  Lytherland,  Rich<(rd  Knight,  Thomas  Chrke,  Thoims 
Dungan,  &c.  to  the  number  of  iixty-tive,  who  with  the  fix  c^ii'i" 
fellor?  were  almbft  all  the  free  inhabitants  of  Newport,  as  Mr. 
Chrks  fa  id  afterward  to  their  general  aliembly.  Fortv-one  of 
th's  trliabitants  of  Portfmouth  figned  a  like  requeft.  [  Copied  from 
the  original  papers  noru  before  ine.'\ 

Man}*  of  the' above  men  were  afterwards  noted  rulers  In  that 
colony  ;  and  Mr,  Dungan  was-  a  member  of  iMr.Clarkc'schurch, 

till 


[1^50      IN  NE W.ENGLAND.       275 

Mr..  Coddington  having  gotten  the  command 
of  the  ilTaods,  Providence  and  Vvarwick,  each 
chole  ii,%.  deputies,  who  met  at  Providence  Nov.  4. 
and  unauimouily  concluded  to  fiand  embodied  and 
incorporated  as  before,  by  virtue  of  their  charter, 
and  as  preiident  Eafton  had  given  place  to  Mr. 
Coddington  ;  they  chofe  another  in  his  room.,  and 
made  lc\'-eral  lavvs,  one  of  whicli  was  to  prohibit 
any  from  purchahng  lands  of  the  Indians,  without 
the  afl'cmbiies  approbation,  ,on  pcnaltv  of  foricit* 
ing  the  fame  to  the  colony.  When  thofe  two  a- 
gents  arrived  inEn^land,  they  united  in  a  petition 
to  t'le  council  ot  Uate,  who  on  April  8th,  1632, 
refei'ed  the  lame  to  the  committee  for  foieign  af- 
fairs. The  court  of  election  at  Warwick,  Ma  18, 
n^ade  a  law  to  1  brbid  the  Dutch  who  were  not  in- 
habitants aniong  them,  from  trading  with  the  In- 
dians in  this  colony,  upon  penalty  of  forfeiting 
both  goods  and  veflel  to  the  colony  if  they  did  : 
and  the  preiident  v»  as  ordered  to  give  the  govern- 
or of  Manh:ito's  notice  of  it*  When  their  afitm- 
bJy  met  again  in  the  fall  at  Providence,  they  wrotq- 
the  fojlowing  letter  to  Mr.  Williams,  viz, 
"  Honored  Sir, 

"  WE  may  not  r>egled  any  opportiTPaty  to  fa- 
lute  you  in  this  your  abfence,\md  have  not  a  little 
caufe  to  blefs  God,  who  hath  pleafed  to  felecl  yon 
to  fuch  a  purpofe,  as  we  doubt  not  but  will  con- 
duce to  the  peace  and  fafety  of  us  all,  as  to  make 
you  once  more  an  inftrument  to  impart  and  difclofe 
our  caufe  unto  thofe  noble  and  gra^'C  fenators  our 
honorable  protectors,  in  whofe  eyes  God  hath  given 

you 

tlU  about  the  year  16S4  ;  when  he  went  to  Pennfylvania,  and  be- 
came the  firft  baptift  miniftcr  in  that  colony,  where  he  left  * 
numerous  pofterity.     Edward's  h'Jiory  of  the  Laitifl't  in  th^V 


^i^      K I  aj  O  R t  of'  Tilt  BAPTISTS 

you  honor  (as  we  iinderftand)  beyond  onr  hopes, 
^tid  moved  the  hearts  of  the  vife  to  ftir  on  your' 
feehalf  ;  we  give  you  hearty  tihaaks  for  your  care 
and  diligence,  to  watch  all  opportunities  to  pro- 
mote our  peace,  for  we  perceive  your  pvuden  and 
COmprehenfive  mind  ftireth  every  ftone  to  prefent 
It  to  the  builders,  to  make  firm  the  fabrick  utito 
us  about  wliich  you  arc  employed,  laboring-  to  un- 
weave Inch  irregular  deviles  wrought  by  others 
amongft  us,  as  have  formerly  cioatlu:d  us  v^ith  fo 
fad  events,  as  the  fubjedion  ot  iome  r.mong  us, 
both  Kngliih  and  Indian  to  other  jurifcii-clioii.'r,  as 
aUb  to  prevent  fucJi  near  approach  of  our  neigh- 
bours upon  our  borders  on  tlie  Narraganiet  fide, 
wjiich  might  much  annoy  us,  v.'ith  your  endeavors 
to  furnifh  us  with  fuch  ammunition  as  tr  look  a 
foreign  enemy  in  the  face,  being  that  tlie  ciuel  be- 
gin to  icir  in  thefe  weilern  parts,  and  to  unite  in 
one  again,  fiich  as  of  late  have  had  feeming  iepara- 
tion  in  loilie  refpecls,  to  encourage  and  ilrengthen 
our  week  and  infeebkd  body  to  perform  its  work 
in  thefe  foreign  parts,  to  the. honor  of  fuch  as  take 
care,  have  been  and  are  fo  tender  of  our  good, 
tliongh  we  be  unworthy  to  be  had  in  rcmember- 
ance  .by  peribns  of  lo  noble  places,  indued  with 
parts  of  lb  excellent  and  honorable  and  abun- 
clafitly  beneficial  ufe» 

"  .:  iR,  give  us  leave  to  intimate  thus  muchj  that 
we  humbly  conceive  (fo  far  as  we  are  able  to  un- 
derfland)  that  if  it  be  the  plcafure  of  our  protectors 
to  renew  our  charter  for  the  re-efiablifhing  of  our 
government,  that  it  might  tend  mUch  to  the  weigh- 
ing of  men?,  minds,  and  fubjecling  of  perfons  who 
have  been  re6'aclory,to  yield  thenifelves  over  as  un- 
f:o  a  fettled  government,  if  it  might  be  the  pleafurc 
ibi  that  hoxiurable  iUte^  -to  invell:,  appoint  and  ini- 
"■■"'"'■■•   ■'■*'"     '•■        ■'         •  now?t 


[1652]       IN  NEW-ENGLAKD.       277 

power  ypnrfelf  to  come  over  as  governor  of  tliis ' 
colony  for  the  fpace  of  one  year,  and  fo  the  govern- 
ment to  be  honorably  put  upon  this  place,  which 
mig«it  feem  to  add  weight  forever  hereafter  in  the 
conttant  and  fucccflive  derivation  of  the  fame.  Wc 
only  prefent  it  to  your  deliberate  thoughts  and  con- 
fideration,  with  our  hearty  defires  that  your  time 
of  Itay  there  for  the  effectual  perfe<5ling  and  finiih- 
ing  of  your  fo  weighty  affairs  may  not  feem  tedi- 
ous, nor  be  any  difcouragement  uqto  you  ;  rather 
than  you  fhall  fuffer  for  lofs  of  time  here,  or  ex- 
pence  there,  we  are  refolycd  to  ffretch  forth  our 
hands  at  your  return  beyond  our  ftrength  for  your 
fupply. — fYour  loving  bed-fellow  is  in  health,  and 
prefents  her  endeared  affection,  fo  are  all  your  fa- 
mily.— —Mr.  Sayles  alfo  and  his,  with  the  rell  of 
your  friends  throughout  the  colony,  who  yvifh  and 
delire  earneftly  to  lee  your  face. 

"  Sir  we  are  yours,  leaving  you  untQ  the  Lord, 
Vi'e  heartily  take  leave. 
*'  From  the  general  affembly  of  this  colony  of 
Providence-Plantations,  affembled  in  the  town 
of  Providence  the  28th  of  October  1652 

"  John  Greene,  General  recorder."* 

On  the  2d  of  Oclober,  the  council  of  ftate  gave 
an  order  and  wrote  letters  to  vacate  Mr.  Cpdding- 
ton's  commilHon,  and  to  confirm  their  former  cha- 
racter ;  which  were  fent  over  by  William  Dyre. 
And  about  the  1 6th  of  Febmary  1653,  he  brought 
a  letter  to  Providence,  ligned  by  Meffrs.  Sanford 
Baulfton,  Porter  and  William  Jefferies,  requefting 
the  two  towns  on  the  main  to  appoint  a  time  to 
meet  thofe  on  the  ifland,  to  hear  and  a<5f  upon  the 
Hates  letters.  Providence  met  upon  the  affair,  and 
enquired  why  thofe  letters  were  not  brought  te 

thcoij 
*  Providence  Recoroj. 


«.78      HISTORY  of  the  BAPTISTS 

t^ein,  feeing  they  had  continued  to  aft  upon  the 
charter,  atter  the  ifland  was  parted  fron)  them  ? 
Dyre  told  them  that  the  two  a^tntshad  united  in 
Uidr  petition,  and  that  as  it  appeared  to  hiui  t*.at 
the  ifland  was  the  major  part  ot  tiic  colony,  thercr 
fore  they  ii..  J  the  grcateil  intercft  in  the  letters,  and 
he  had  leit  them  there,  Prelident  Smith.  William 
Kieldj  and  fome  others  joined  with  Dyre,  and  fhove 
to'perlwade  them  to  ''  account  themfelves  a  dif- 
ordered  conrufed  rout,  as  he  acknowledged  the 
iilanders  were,  and  to  account  all  crficers  order >;  of 
court,  laws  and  cafes  depending  as  nali,  ana  to 
CQmc  to  a  popular  meeting  to  lay  a  new  founda- 
tion of  government  for  the  colony.*'  This  they 
could  not  conient  to.  but  each  town  choie  lix  comr 
miffioners  ulio  met  at  t^awtuxet  on  February  25th, 
and  fent  four  mefl'cngers  to  the  ifland  for  thoie  let- 
ters or  a  copy  of  them  ;  and  that  if  the  Hates  orders 
were  for  them  all  to  unite  again,  then  to  agree  up- 
on a  meeting  for  that  purpofe.  Dyre  Iceing  no 
other  way  to  carry  his  own  lei.cmc.  aiTumcd  the 
power  to  liimfelf  to  call  the  whole  colony  to- 
gether by  the  following  inftrument. 

^'  Loving  friends  and  neighbours,  thcfe  are  to 
iignify  unto  you,  that  it  hath  pleafed  the  right 
honorable,  the  council  of  if  ate,  authoriied  hy  the 
fupreme  authority  of  the  common- wealth  of  Eng- 
land, to  betruft  niyfelf  with  letters  and  orders  cm-  . 
cerning  this  colony,  and  the  welfare  thereof  ;  be 
pleafed  therefore  to  underftand,  that  upon  Tucf- 
day  come  feven  night,  at  Portfmouth  on  Rhode- 
lHand,  at  Mr.  Baulfton's  houfe,  1  fhall  be  there 
(God  willing)  ready  to  attend  the  connuunication 
of  the  truft  committed  to  my  charge,  unto  all  luch 
free  inhabitants  as  fliall  there  make  their  perfonal 
apjpearar^e.     Given  under  my  hand  this  prelent 

6tl\ 


[-1653]       i>f   NEW-ENGLAND.      c;^ 

6th  day  of  tlie  week,  being  the  i8th  of  February 
1652.  William  Dyre," 

A  COPT  of  this  he  fent  to  each  town,  and  maliy 
of  the  freemen  met  on  the  iaid  March  ift.  but  in- 
ftead  or'  throwing  ail  up,  tiiev  ordered,  ''  That  ail 
oflicer.?  who  were  m  place  wl>eo  Mr;  Coddington's 
commiilion  obitructed,  ihould  Itand  in  their  places, 
to  act  According  to  their  loriner  conimiilions,upon 
the  iiland  ;  and  the  reil  in  the  colony  according 
as  they  hid  been  annually  cholen,  until  a  new  elec- 
tion according  to  former  order."  The  commilil- 
oners  met  again  at  Pawtuxet  on  March  yth,  to  re- 
ceive the  anCwer  of  their  mefiengers  from  theifland, 
who  reported  what  was  done,  but  that  they  couid 
not  obtain  fo  much  as  a  copy  of  thofe  letters  from 
England.  Upon  which  they  fent  again  therefor, 
ani  alfo  a  propofal  of  joining  with  the  towns  oa 
the  ifland  in  the  next  election,  if  they  would  agree 
to  it  in  their  former  method,  and  give  them  ten 
days  notice.  By  fome  means  fuch  notice  was  not 
given,  therefore  the  two  towns  on  the  main  met  at 
Providence,  May  17th,  i6:;3,  and  eleded  their  of- 
ficers. An  aflembly  met  at  the  fame  time  on  the 
iiland,  and  chofe  Mr.  Sanford  their  prefident,  and 
ibme  freemen  coming  from  the  main,  they  ehofc 
an  ailillant  for  each  town  in  the  colony.  And 
they- fent  Mr.  James  Barker,  and  Mr.  Richard 
Knight  to  Mr.  Coddington,  to  demand  the  ftatute 
book,  and  book  of  records.  And  as  it  was  then  a 
time  of  war  betwixt  England  and  Holland,  and  a 
mention  was  made  of  it  in  the  letters  which  con- 
firmed their  charter,  Dyre  thought  to  make  his  ad- 
vantage thereby,  and  procured  commiiTions  for 
himielf,  Capt.  Undcrhill,  and  Edward  Hull,  to  act 
againil  the  Dutch  in  America  ;  and  fome  cannon 
with  twenty  men  were  feat  ta  the  EngiilK  on  ths 


-tSo     HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS. 

caft-  end  of  Long-Ifland,  to  enable  them  to  act 
againil  the  Dutch  v/ho  lay  to  the  weft  ward  of 
them.  1  his  alarmed  Providence  colony,  who  met 
again  in  June,  and  a  third  time  at  VV  arwick,  oit 
Auguft  13th,  when  they  anfweied  a  letter  from 
tlie  Maliachufetts,  and  remonitrated  againft  being 
drawn  into  a  war  with  the  Dutch  ;  and  wrote  to 
Ivlr.  Williams  an  account  of  Dyre's  conducl,  ind 
cf  their  being  urged  to  give  up  their  forme r  actings 
as  null ;  but  fay  they,  "  being  Ibll  in  the  fame  order 
you  left  us,  and  obferving  two  great  evils  that  fuch 
a  courfe  would  bring  upon  us.  Firlt,  the  irazard  of 
involving  in  all  the  diibrdcrs  and  blood- Ihed  which 
hive  been  committed  on  Hhode-lfland  fince  their 
fcparation  from  us.'*  Secondly,  the  invading  and 
fi-uftratingof  jullicein  divers  weighty  caules  then 
orderly  depending  in  our  courts,  in  fome  of  which 
caufes  Mr.  Smith,  prelident,  William  Field,  Src. 
were  deeply  concerned  ;'*  therefore  they  could  not 
yield  to  fuch  a  motion.  * 

Before  wc  proceed  further  upon  their  affairs, 
feme  tranfaftions  in  the  Maiiachufetts  call  for  our 

attention. 

*  CalknJer— Colony  records.  To  give  2  clear  idea  of  their 
difficulties  I  would  infcrt  ti^c  following  things. 

"  The  24th  of  the  firft  raonih  called  March,  in  the  year  (fo 
commonly  called)  1637-8  Memorandum,  that  we  Canonius  and 
Miantinomo,  the  two  chief  f^chemi  of  the  Narrsgnnfct,  by  vir- 
tue of  our  general  command  of  this  bay,  as  alfo  the  particular 
fubjeiftinEof  the  dead  fachem  of  Aquedneck  and  Kituckamuckqutt 
themfclves  and  lands  unto  us,  have  fold  to  Mr.  Coddingion  and 
his  friends  united  unto  him,  the  great  ifland  of  Aquedneck,  lay- 
ing hence  caftward  itl  this  bay,  as  alfo  the  marlh  or  grafs  upon 
Quinunnuqut,  and  the  refl:  of  the  iflands  in  this  bay  (excepting 
Chibachuwefa  [Prudence]  formerly  fold  to  Mr.  VVinthrop,  the 
now  governor  6f  the  Maifuchufetts,  and  Mr.  Williams  of  Provi- 
dence) alfo  the  grnfs  upon  the  rivers  and  bounds  about  Kitacfca- 
muckqut,  snd  from  thence  to  Paupufquatch,  for  the  full  payment 
«f  forty  fsthoajs  of  white  tcads,  to  be  cquiJly  d;vid;d  betwe«;i 

•  "  C5  i 


ti653]      IN    NEW-ENGLAND.       tSfc 

attention.  Their  minifters  have  often  tried  to  per* 
fuade  people,  that  ignorance  of  the  original  lan- 
guages that  our  bible  was  wrote  injis  the  caufe  why 
any  embrace  the  baptifts  principles.  How  well 
this  agrees  with  their  rear  of  a  fair  difpute  with  the 
learned  Mr,  Clarke  the  reader  will  judge,  and  what 
follows  may  afford  further  light. 

O    o  Capt. 

us  ;  in  witnefs  whereof  we  have  here  fubfcrlbecJ.     Item,  that  by 
giving,  by  Miantonomo's  hands,  ten  coats  and  tweaty  hoes  to  the 
prefent  inhabitants,  they  (hall  remove  themfelves  from  off  thd ' 
llland  before  next  winter*  Witnefs  our  hands. 

In  prefence  of.  The  mark  f  of  Canon  icus. 

The  mark  X  of  Yotuefli,  The  mark  %  of  Miantinomo.'* 

Roger  Williams, 
Randal  Holden, 
The  mark  t  c^f  AfTotemuit* 
The  mark  ||  of  Mihammoh* 

Canonicus  his  fon. 
*'  Memorandum,  that  Ofemaq|uin  freely  confent  that  Mr-Wit* 
liam  Coddington,  and  his  friends  united  .unto  him,  Ihall  makiS 
ufe  of  any  grafs  or  trees  on  the  main  land  o/i  Pawakafick  fide^ 
and  all  my  men,  to  the  faid  Mr.  Coddington,  and  Englifti,  his 
friends  united  to  him,  having  received  of  Mr.  Coddington  fivfi 
fathoms  of  wampum,  as  gratuity  for  himfelf  and  the  reft. 
\7Vt     c    5  J^oger  Williams,  The  mark  X  of  Ofamaquin.'* 

^''"^'^'^  Randal  Holden. 

DatecFthe  fixth  of  the  fifth  month*  1638. 
Thefe  deeds  with  ^  number  of  receipts  from  thelndian,^,  are  upoil 
the  colony  records  which  Mr.  Coddington  had  in  his  power  when 
he  obtained  a  commiilion  to  be  their  governor  without  the  peoples 
confent;  and  when  they  contended  hotly  with  him,  it  feems  thag 
he  fled  to  Bofton,  where  they  fent  after  him,  and  prevailed  witli 
him  to  fign  an  engagement  on  April  14th,  1652,  in  the  prefencei 
bf  Robert  Knight  and  George  Manning,  to  deliver  up  faid  deeds 
and  records  to  fuch  men  as  the  majority  of  the  purchafers  and  free-* 
men  (hould  appoint  to  receive  them,  and  to  claim  no  more  xa 
himfelf  than  an  equal  (hire  with  the  other  purchafers.  And  the* 
above  record  fhews  that  he  had  thofe  deeds  in  his  hands  till  May„ 
1653.  The  main  inftance  of  blood-Jhed  above  rcfcred  to,  was  ot 
a  principle  inhabitant  of  Newport,  who  was  charged  with  a  capi- 
tal crime  before  a  town-meeting,  and  was  condemned  by  them> 
and  carried  forth  and  Ihot  to  death  in  their  prefeace,  Hiftsr^ 
of  Providenct,  ^ 


122      HISTORY  0^  tHE  BAt^TIStS^ 

Capt.  Johnfon,  fpc^cing  of  the  firft  prcfidcnt  of 
Harvard  College,  fays,  "  He  Vvas  fitted  from  th*^ 
Lord  for  tlie  work,  SiV.d,  by  thofe  who  have  Iki.ll 
that  way,  reported  to  be  an  able  proficient  both  in 
the  Hebrew,  Greek  and  Latin  languages,  an  or- 
thodox preacher  of  the  truths  of  Chrilt,  and  very 
powerful  thro' his  blefling  to  move  the  affections.*'  * 
Mr.  HuW^ard  fpeakrng  C>f  Mr.  Dunftar's  being 
made  prelid'^nt  in  1640  fays,  "  "Dnder  whom,  that 
which  was  before  but  at  bed /chola  illujlra,  grew  to 
the  ftature  and  perfection  of  a  college,  and  fiouriOi- 
cd  in  the  profcltion  of  all  liberal  fci,ences  for  many 
years."  And  Mr.  Friijce,  upon  the  New-England 
pfalm-book  fays,  "  for  a  further  improvement  it 
was  com  nittedtothcRev.Mr.  HcnryDu-nilar,  pre- 
fident  of  Harvard  College ;  one  of  the  greatell  maf- 
ters  of  the  oriental  languages <■  that  hath  been 
known  in  thefe  ends  cf  the  earth.**  + 

This  eminent  man  was  brought  fo  far  this  yeai^' 
that,  "  he  not  only  forebore  to  prefcnt  an  infant 
of  his  own  unto  buptifm,  but  alio  thought  him- 
felf  under  fome  obligation  to  bear  his  teftimony  in- 
fome  I'ermons,  agai'nit  the  adminiftratrcn  of  baptiim- 
to  any  hifant  luhatfosver.''^  His  brethrciiff  were  16 
^vehement  and  violent  againft  him  therefor,  as  to  de- 
iire  him  toccafe  preaching  there,  and  procured  his 
temoval  both  from  hi>s  oilice  ami  from  his  livins:  in- 

o 

the  town  :  |  and  Mr.  Jonathan  Mitchel,  their  mi. 
niftcr  at  Cambridge,  wrote  December  24.th,  1653^ 
*'  That  after  I  came  from  him,  I  had  a  ftiange  ex« 
perience  ;  I  found  hurrying  and  prelTmg  luggef- 

tiORS 
*  Johnfon,  page  j6B, 
f  Prince's  preface  to  his  own  verfion  of  the  pfalms. 
§  Governor  Dudly  died,  July  31ft,  1653,  with  thefe  li.nes  ia 
fjis  pocket,  viz. 

"  Let  men  cf  G'lJ.  in  courts  cfytd  churches  ixatck 
'J  O'er  fuck  ai  do  a  lOLfiRAtjoN   hatch.'[ 


[i553]      IN   NEW.ENGLAND.      2S3 

tions  agalnft  pee  do- 1  apt  if m,  and  injecled  Icruples  and 
tho*ts  whither  the  oriier  wajfiitf^iighc  not  be  right, 
and  infant  baptina  an  invention  oj  men^  and  whether 
i  might  with  good  conipence  bap.ize  chJdren,  and 
the  Hke.  A.nd  thele  tiiougnts  were  aarted  in  with. 
Ibme  imprellion,  and  left  a  ilrange  contuhon  and 
iickiinefs  upon  my  fpirit.  Yet  methought,  it  was 
not  hard  to  dii'cern  that  they  were  from  the  EVIL 
ONE.  Firft,  becaufe  they  were  rather  nijeclcd, 
hurrying  fuggeftions,  than  any  deliberate  tho'ts, . 
or  bringing  any  light  witii  them.  Secondly,  be- 
caufe they  were  umeafonahk  ;  interrupting  me  ia 
my  ftudy  for  the  fabbath,  and  putting  my  fpirit 
into  confufion,  fo  as  T  had  much  ado,  to  do  ought 
in  my  fermon.  It  was  not  now  a  time  to  ftudy 
that  matter  ;  but  when  in  the  former  part  of  the 
week,  I  had  given  myfelf  to  that  ftudy,  the  mose 
1  ftudied  it,  the  more  clear  and  rational  light  I  faw 
for  peedo-baptifm,  but  now  thefe  fuggeftions  hur- 
ried me  into  fcruples. It  was  a  check  to  my 

ioYTCitv  felf -confidence^  and  it  made  mt  fearful  to  go 
needlefsly  to  Mr.  D.  fur  metlibught  I  found  a  ve- 
Bura  and  poifon,  in  his  inlinuations  and  difcourfes 
againft  peeda-baptifni.  I  refohoed  alfo  on  Mr.  H  ooker's. 
principle,  that  1  would  have  an  argument,  able 
to  remove  a  mountain,  before  I  would  recede  from, 
or  appear  againft  a  truth  or  praclice  received  a- 
mong  the  faithful.'*  * 

S^ijery^  How  did  he  know  but  that  his  hurry 
and  darknefs  was  caufed  by  the  oppplition  of  his 
heart,  and  the  inieclions  of  the  devil  againft  the 
truth  ?  Can  any  thing  be  more  unreafonable  than 
his  conclufion  drawn  from  the  time  of  his  fcruples  ? 
The  fact  was  juft  this  ;  in  his  own  ftudy  he  tho't 
he  faw  a  light  for  infant  baptiim,  but  when  \\^ 

caui^Q 
]^  Michel's  lifsypsgc  67 — 7Q1 


^84      HISTORY  or  the  BAPTISTS 

came  to  converfe  with  a  gentleman  who  knew 
more  than  he  did,  it  raifcd  icruplcs  in  his  mind  a- 
bout  that  practice.  But  where  was  the  modefty 
of  a  youth  not  thirty  years  old,  when  he  accufed 
one  of  the  moll  venerable  fathers  of  that  age,  of 
having  vcimm  and  pcifon  in  his  difcourfes,  only  be- 
caufe  his  own  felf-ccnjidence  was  fliocked  thereby  ! 
Sure  I  am  that  if  any  baptili:  rainiftcr  had  told  fuch 
a  flory,  and  that  it  made  him  fearful  of  going  near 
a  learned  gentleman,  whofc  arguments  had  bro't 
him  to  fcruple  whether  he  had  not  been  educated 
in  a  wrong'  way,  but  tljat  he  was  refohed  to  havd 
an  argument  able  to  wcrk  miracles  before  he  would 
leave  it,  the  other  party  v/oiild  tlien  have  had  fuch 
grounds,  to  charge  the  baptift  wiih  iv'dfuhiefs  and 
Qhflinacy  upon,  as  they  never  yet  had. 

RiGEDNEss  is  a  word  that  both  epifcopalians 
and  prefbyterians  have  often  cad  upon  our  Ply* 
mouth  fathers.     Yet  the  Mailachufetts  now  dif- 

,  covered  fo  much  more  of  that  temper  than  they, 
that  Mr.  Dunilar  on  October  24,  1654,  rcfigned 
his  office  among  them,  and  removed  and  fpent  his 
remaining  days  at  ^.cituatc,  in  Plymouth  colony «r 
^nd  it  feems  remarkable  that  Mr.  ChaiksCliauncy, 
■who,  though  he  allowed  believers  to  bring  their  in- ' 
fants,  yet  held  that  baptifm  was  dipping  ;  was  on 
the  27th  of  November  following,  made  prefident 

-^f  Harvard  College  in  Mr.  Dunftar's  room.  *  Mr. 
Chauncy  was  born  in  Hartfordfhire  in  1589  :  was 
educated  in  the  untverfity  of  Cambridge  ;  "  was  in- 
comparably well  fkilled  in  all  the  learned  lariguages^, 
efpecialiy  in  the  oriental,  and  eminently  in  the  He- 
brew ;  in  obtaining  whereof,  his  converfation  with 
a  Jew  for  the  fpace  of  a  year,  was  no  little  advan- 
^ge.'*     He  was  fuccefslul  in  the  miniftry  at  Ware 

ia 
*  Magnalb;,  book  iv.  page  12S, 


[1653]       IN  NE W.ENGLAND,      285 

in  England,  till  being  perfecuted,  and  f.aving  fuf- 
fered  much  from  Laud's  party,  he  came  to  our 
Plymouth,  in  1638  ;  in  which  place  he  preached 
about  two  years,  and  then,  as  he  has  been  noted, 
]ie  removed  and  fettled  at  Scituate,  where,  upon 
his  taking  the  charge  of  that  flock,  he  preached 
from  that  text,  Wifdom  hath  fent  forth  her  maidens  ! 
but  reflecting  in  his  difcourfe  upon  fome  compli- 
ences  with  the  High  comqriiflion  court  that  he  had 
been  guilty  in  his  own  country,  he  with  tears  faid, 
"  Alas,  chriftians  I  am  no  maiden  !  my  foul  hath 
been  defiled  with  falfe  worfliip  1  how  wonder- 
ous  is  the  free  grace  of  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift, 
that  I  fliould  ftiil  be  employed  among  the  maidens 
of  vfifdom  !'*  upon  an  invitation  from  his  old  peo- 
ple at  Ware,  he  now  came  to  Bofton,  with  a  de- 
iign  of  returning  to  them,  when  the  overfeers  of 
the  college,  "  by  their  vehement  importunity  pre- 
vailed with  him  to  accept  the  government  of  that 
fociety."  *  Where  we  will  leave  him,  til'  we  fhall 
have  further  occafion  to  mention  his  telUmony  a- 
gainft  degeneracy  in  our  land. 

Mr.  Williams  had  many  enemies  and  difficul- 
ties to  encounter  with,  in  pleading  for  the  rights  of 
his  colony, but  was  wonderfully  fupported  and  car- 
ried through  them  all  ;  of  which  iome  account  is 
given  in  the  following  letter. 

From  Sir  henry  Vane's  at  7       April  ift.  ^'^  (fo 
Belleau  in  Lincolnlhire.    3  called.) 

"  My  dear  and  loving  friends  and  neigbours  of 
Providence  and  Warwick  ;  our  noble  friend  Sir 
Henry  Vane,  having  the  navy  of  England  ir.ouly 
depending  on  his  care,  and  going  down  to  the  navy 
at  Portfmouth,  I  was  invited  by  them  both  to  ac- 
company his  lady  to  Lincolnfiiire,  where  I  fhall  yet 

ftay 
*  IL:^.  page  134—136,^ 


^85      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS, 

flay  as  I*  fear  until  the  fliip  is  gone  ;  I  muft  ther^. 
fore  pray  your  pardon  that  by  the  poll  1  lend  thi^ 
to  London.  I  hope  it  may  have  pleaied  the  moft 
high  Lord  of  fca  and  land  to  bring  Capt.  Ch-ril-n's 
fhip  and  dear  Mr.  Dyre  unto  you,  and  with  him  the 
councils  letters,  which  anfwer  the  petition  Sir  Hen- 
ry Vajne  and  myfelf  drew  up,  and  the  council  by 
Sir  Henry's  mediation  granted  us,  for  the  confir- 
mation of  the  charter,  until  the  determinatk)n  of 
the  controverfy.     Thio  determination  you  may 

J)leafe  to  underftz^nd  is  hindered  by  two  main  ob- 
Iructions.  The  liril:  is  the  mighty  war  with  the 
Dutch,  which  makes  England  and  Holland  and  the 
imations  tremble  :  This  hath  made  the  parUament 
lit  Sir  Henry  Vane  and  two  or  three  more  as  com- 
miflioners  to  manage  the  war,  which  they  have^ 
done  with  much  engaging  the  name  of  God  with 
them,  who  hath  appeared  in  helping  fii.ty  of  ours 
againft  almoft  three-hundred  of  their  men  of  war, 
and  perchance  to  the  fink;ng  and  taking  about  one- 
hundred  of  theirs,  and  but  one  of  ours  which  was 
jfunk  by  our  own  men.  Qur  fecpnd  obilruclion  is 
the  oppofition  of  pur  adverfaries.  Sir  Arther  Hafel- 
rig  and  Colonel  Fenwicke,  who  hath  n[^arried  his 
daughter,  Mr.  Winflow  and  Mr.  Hopkins,  both  in. 
great  place  ;  *  and  all  the  friends  they  can  make  iiv 
the  parliament  and  council,  and  all  the  priefls  both 
prefbyterian  and  independant ;  fo  that  we  Hand  as. 
two  armies  ready  to  engage,  obferving  the  motions 
and  poftures  each  of  other,  and  yet  fliy  each  of 

other. Under  God  the  fheet  anchor  of  our  fhip. 

is  Sir  Henry,  who  will  do  as  the  eye  of  God  leads 
him,  and  he  faithfully  piomifcd  me  that  he  would 
pbferve  the  motion  of  our  New-England  bufinefs, 
^'hile  I  ilayed  fome  ten  weeks  with  his  lady  ia 

Lincolnfliirc. 
2  Winfiojv  died  ia  the  Wcft-Iadic*  in  1655, 


[t6531       in  NEW-ENGLAN£).       ^§; 

Lincolnlhire.  Befide  here  is  great  thoughts  and 
preparation  for  a  new  parliament  ;  fome  of  our 
friends  are  apt  to  think  another  parliament  will 
more  fiivor  us  and  our  caufe  than  this  has  done. 
You  may  pieafe  to  put  my  condition  into  your 
fouls  cafes  ;  remember,  I  am  a  father  and  an  huf- 
band  ;  I  have  longed  earneftly  to  return  with  the 
lail  fhip,and  with  thefe,yet  I  have  not  been  willing 
to  withdraw  my  fhoulders  from  the  burthen  leaft  it . 
pinch  othei-s,  and  may  fall  heavy  upon  all ;  except 
you  are  pkafed  to  give  to  me  a  difcharge.  If  you 
conceive  it  necefTary  for  me  ftlU  to  attend  this  fer- 
Tice,  pray  you  conlider  if  it  be  not  convenient  that 
my  poof  wife  be  incouraged  to  come  over  to  me, 
and  to  wait  together  on  the  good  pleafure  of  God 
for  th€  end  of  this  matter.  You  know  my  many 
tveights  hanging  on  me ;  how  my  own  place  flands, 
and  how  many  reafons  1  have  to  caufe  me  tamake; 
hafte,  yet  ;  would  not  lofe  their  eftates,  peace  and 
liberty,  by  leaving  hallily.  I  write  to  my  dear 
wife,  my  great  delire  of  her  coming  while  I  flay  ; 
yet  left  it  to  the  freedom  of  her  fpirit,  becaufe  o£^ 
the  many  dangers  ;  truly  at  prefent  the  feas  are 
flangerous,  but  not  comparably  fo  much  nor 
likely  to  be,  becaufe  of  the  late  great  defeat  of  the 
Dutch,  and  their  prefent  fending  to  us  offers  of 
peace.  My  dear  friends  although  it  pleafed  God 
himfelf,  by  many  favors  to  incourage  me,  yet  pieafe 
you  to  remember,  that  no  man  can  ftay  here  as  I 
do,  leaving  a  prefent  emphn'ment  there,  without 
much  felf-deniil,  \^hich  I  btHeech  God  for  moie, 
ahd  for  you  alfo,  that  no  private  refpecls  or  gains 
or  quarrels  may  caufe  you  to  neglecl  the  public 
and  common  lafety,  peace  and  liberties.  I  befeech 
the  blefTed  God  to  keep  frcfli  in  your  thoughts 
what  be  hatk  done  for  Providence-Plantations. 

My 


2S8      HISTORY  OP  the  BAPTISTS 

My  dear  rcfpecls  to  yourfclves,  wives  and  chil-* 
dren  ;  1  bcfeech  the  eternal  God  to  be  leen  amongO: 
you  : So  prays  your  moll  faitliful  and  affec- 
tionate friend  and  fei-vant.     Roger  Williams." 
P.  S.    My  love  to  all  my  Indian  friends. 

As  men  of  all  tempers  and  fentiments  had  re- 
forted  to  that  colony,  and  there  had  been  from 
various  quarters  fuch  interruptions  of  a  regular  ad- 
miniftration  of  government  as  have  been  mention- 
ed, it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  if  many  diforders 
appeared  among  them,  of  which  enemies  to  their 
liberties  did  not  fail  to  make  all  the  advantage  they 
could  Mr.  Williams  attended  upon  the  difficult 
And  important  affairs  of  his  agency  another  year, 
and  then  leaving  the  caufe  there  with  Mr.  Clarke 
and  other  friends,  he  came  over  to  take  care  of 
things  here  ;  and  brought  with  him  the  follow- 
ing epitUe,  viz. 

Loving  and  chnjl.  an  friends^ 

1  COULD  not  refule  this  bearer,  Mr.  Roger  Wil- 
liams, my  kind  triend  and  ancient  acquaintance, 
to  be  accompanied  with  thefe  i^v^  lines  from  my- 
felt  to  you,  upon  his  return  to  Providence  colony  ; 
though  perhaps  my  private  and  retired  condition, 
which  the  Lord  of  his  mercy  hath  broiight  me  in- 
to, mighi:  have  argued  ffrongly  enough  for  my 
lilcnce  ;  but  indeed  foiDcthing  I  hold  myfelf  bound 
to  fay  to  you,  out  of  the  chriilian  love  I  bear  you, 
and  for  his  fake  whofc  name  is  called  upon  by  you 
and  engaged  on  your  behalf.  How  is  it  that  there 
are  fuch  divilions  aniongft  you  ?  Such  headinefs, 
tumults,  diforders^  injufticc  r  The  noife  echoes  into 
the  ears  of  all,  as  well  fiiends  as  enemies,  by  every 
return  of  fhiips  from  thofe  parts.  Is  not  the  fear 
and  awe  of  God  amongft  you  to  reftrain  ?  Is  not 
the  love  of  Chrifl  in  you  to  fill  you  with  earning 

bowels 


tif>54T     11^  NEW-ENGLAND.       289 

bowels  one  towards  another,  and  conftrain  you  not: 
to  live  to  yourfelvcs  but  to  him  that  died  for  you, 
yea,  and  is  rifen  again  ?  Are  there  no  wife  men. 
'  amongft  you  ?  No  pubhc  felf-denyingfpirits,that  at 
leaft  upon  grounds  of  common  fa  fety, equity  and  pr  J-, 
dence  can  iind  out  fome  way  or  means  of  union  and 
rfeieonciliation  for  you  amongft,  yourfeives,  before 
you  become  a  prey  to  common  enemies  ?  Efpecially 
iince  this  Hate,  by  the  lad  letter  from  the  council 
of  flate,  give  you  your  freedom,  as  fuppofing  a*.  - 
better  u('Z  would  Iiave  been  made  of  it  than  there 
hath  been.  Surely  when  kind  and  limple  remedies 
are  applied  and  are  ineffeclual,  it  fpeaks  loud  and 
broadly,  the  high  and  dangerous  diftempers  of  fucht 
a  body,  as  if  the  wounds  were  incurable.  But  I 
hope  better  things  from  yoU,  though  I  thus  fpeak,» 
and  fhould  be  apt  to  think,  that  by  commillioners 
agreed  on  and  appointed  on  all  parts,  and  on  be- 
liaif  of  all  intereiis,  in  a  general  meeting,  fuch  a 
union  and  common  fatisfaftion  might  arife,  as 
through  God's  blefling  might  put  a  Hop  to  your 
growing  breaches  and  diftraclions,  filence  your  e- 
nemies,  encourage  your  friends,  honor  the  name  o£ 
God  which  of  lace  hath  been  much  blafphemed  by 
feafon  of  you  ;  and  in  particular  refrefh  and  revive 
the  fad  heart  ot  him  who  mourns  over  your  pre-  i 
fent  evils,  as  being  your  affectionate  friend,  to  ferve 
you  in  the  Lord.  H.  Vane."  * 

Belleau^  the  Sth  of  February,  1653-4. 
With  this  Mr.  Williams  returned co  Providence; 
but  at  firft  met  with  fuch  treatment  as  caufed  him 
to  addrefs  the  town  in  the  folio  wins:  manner. 

"  Well  beloved  friends  and  neighbcAirs^ 
"  I  AM  like  a  man  in  a  great  fog  ;  I  know  nol^ 
well  how  to  ftcar.     I  fear  to  run  upon  the  rocks 
P     p  at 

*  Copied  from  ihc  origiaal  Tetter/ 


29<5      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

at  home,  having  had  trials  abroad.  I  fear  to  run 
quit-e  backward  (as  men  in  a  mill  do)  and  undo  all 
that  I  have  been  a  long  time  undcnug  myfeU  to  do, 
viz.  to  keep  up  the  name^of  a  people,  a  free 
people,  not  infiaNcd  to  the  bondages  and  iron  yokes 
of"  the  great  (both  foul  and  body)  opprellions  of 
the  Englilh  and  barbarians  about  us  ;  nor  to  the 
divilions  and  diforders  vi'ithin  ourfelves.  Since  I 
fet  the  firil  ftep  of  any  Englifh  foot  into  thefe  wild 
parts,  and  have  maintained  a  chargable  and  haz- 
ardous correfpondance  with  the  barbarians,  and 
ipent  alnioll:  five  years  time  with  the  ilate  of  Eng- 
land^ to  keep  oft  the  rage  of  the  Englifh  againfl  us, 
what  have  l  reaped  of  the  root  of  being  the  ftep- 
ing  flonc  to  fo  many  families  and  towns  about  us, 
but  grief,  and  forrow,  and  bittcrnefs  !  1  have  been 
charged  with  f(»lly  for  that  freedom  and  liberty 
which  1  have  abvvays  flood  for  ;  1  fay  liberty  and 
equallity  both  in  land  and  government.  1  have 
been  blamed  for  parting  with  Moofliawlick,  and 
"afterward  Pawtuxet  (wiiicli  were  mine  own,  as 
trul  as  any  man's  coat  upon  his  back)  without  re- 
fcrving  to  myfeif  a  foot  of  land,  or  an  inch  of  voice 
in  any  matter,  more  than  to  my  fervani;s  and 
ftrangers-  It  hath  been  told  me  that  I  labored 
for  a  licentious  and  contentious  people  ;  that; 
I  have  foolifhly  parted  with  town  and  colony- 
advantages,  by  which  I  might  have  prefervcd  both 
town  and  colony  in  as  go(xI  order  as  any  in  the 
country  about  us.  1  his  and  ten  times  more  I  have 
;been  ccnfured  for,  and  at  this  prefent  am  called  a 
.'traitor  by  one  party,  againft  tlie  ffate  of  England, 
for  not  miuntaining  the  charter  and  the  colony  ; 
and  (it  is  faid)  that  I  am  as  good  as  banifhed  by 
youridves,  and  that  both  fides  wiflied  that  I  might 
never  have  landed,   that  the  fire  o£  contention 

might 


[i554]      IN    NEW-ENGLAND.       $91 

might  have  had  no  flop  in  burning.  Indeed  the 
words  have  been  fo  fharp  between  myfelf  arid  lome 
lately,  that  at  laft  I  v/as  forced  to  fay.  They  might 
well  filence  all  complaints  ii  I  once  began  to  com- 
plain, who  was  unfortunately  fetched  and  diawn 
from  my  employment,  and  fcnt  to  fo  vail  diftunca 
from  my  family  to  do  your  work  of  a  high  and" 
coftly  nature,  for  fo  many  days,  and  weeks,  and 
months  togetlier,  and  there  left  to  flarve,  or  Ileal, 
or  beg,  or  borrov/.  But  blefled  be  God  who  gave 
me  favor  to  borrow  one  while,  and  to  work 
another,and  thereby  to  pay  )  our  debts  there,and  to 
come  over  with  your  credit  and  honor,  as  an  agent 
from  you,  who  had  in  your  name  grappled  with 
the  agents  and  friends  of  all  your  enemies  round 
about  you.  I  am  told  that  your  oppoiites  thought 
on  me,  and  provided  (as  I  may  lay)  a  fpunge  to 
wipe  off  your  fcores  and  debts  in  England,  but 
that  it  was  obftrucled  by  yourfelves,  who  rather 
mcchtated  on  means  and  new  agents  to  be  fent 
over  to  crofs  what  Mr.  Clarke  and  I  obtained. 
But  gentlemen,  blefled  be  God  who  faileth  not, 
and  bleffed  be  his  name  for  his  wonderful  Pro- 
vidences by  which  alone  this  tov/n  and  colo- 
ny, and  that  grand  caufe  of  truth  amd  free- 
dom OF  CONSCIENCE  hath  been  uphei ;  to  this 
day.  And  bielTed  be  his  name  v/ho  hath  again 
quenched  fo  much  of  our  fires  hitherto,  and  hath 
brought  your  names,  and  his  own  name  thus  far 
out  ot  thedirt  of  fcorn,  reproach, occ.  I  find  among 
yourfelves  and  your  oppofites  that  of  Solomon 
true,  that  the  contentions  of  brethren  (fome  that 
Jately  were  fo)  are  the  bars  of  a  caftle,  and  not 
ealily  broken  ;  and  I  have  heard  fome  of  both  fides 
y.ealoufly  talking  of  undoing  themfelves  by  a  trial 
in  Fnciapd.     Truly  friends'"!  cannot  but  fear  yo'^ 


igi      HISTORY  of  the  BAPTISTS 

loft  a  fair  wind  lately,  when  this  town  was  fent  to 
for  its  deputies,  and  you  were  not  picafed  to  give 
an  overture  unto  the  reft  of  the  inhabitants  about 
it ;  yea,  and  when  yourfelves  thought  that  1  invit- 
ed you  to  fome  conference  tending  to  reconcilia- 
tion, before  the  town  fhould  acf  in  fo  fundamen- 
tal a  bufmefs,  you  were  pleafed  to  foreftal  that,  fo 
that  being  full  of  grief,  fhaaie  and  aftonifliment  j 
yea,  and  tear  that  all  that  is  now  done  (efpecialjy 
in  our  town  of  Providence)  is  but  provoking  the 
fpirits  of  men  to  fury  of  dcipa ration.  1  pray  your 
leave  to  pray  you  to  remember  (that  which  1  late- 
ly told  your  oppofites)  On/y  by  pride  comet h  conten* 
tion.  If  there  be  humility  on  the  one  fide,  yet  there 
is  pride  on  the  other,  and  certamly  the  eternal  God 
will  engage  ,'.gamll  the  proud  ;  I  therefore  pray 
you  to  examine,  as  I  have  done  them,  your  pro- 
ceedings in  this  firft  particular.  Secondly,  Love 
covereth  a  multitude  of  lins.  Surely  your  charges 
and  complaints  each  againfl  other  have  not  hid 
nor  covered  any  thing,  as  we  ufe  to  cover  the  na^ 
kednefs  of  thofe  we  love.  If  you  will  now  profeii 
not  to  have  disfranchifed  humanity  and  love,  but 
that  (as  David  in  another  caie)  you  will  facriiice  to 
the  common  peace,  and  common  iafety;  and  coni 
mon  credit,  that  which  may  be  faid  to  coft  you  fom- 
thing,  I  pray  your  loving  leave  to  tell  you  that  if  I 
were  in  your  fouls  cafe,  I  woiSld  fend  unto  yom- 

oppolites  fuch  a  line  as  this. r-"  Neighbours,  at 

the  conflant  rcquefl,  and  upon  the  conftant  medi- 
ation which  our  neighbour  Roger  Williams,  fince 
his  arrival,  hath  ufed  to  us,  both  ior  paciHcation  and 
accommodation  of  our  fad  difl'erv  nces,  and  alfo  up- 
on the  late  endeavors  in  all  the  other  towns  for  aq 
union,  we  are  perfwaded  to  remove  our  obftruc- 
tiori,  viz.  that  ppcr  pf  contention  between  us,  and 

to 


[1654]       IM  NEW-ENGLAND.       493 

to  deliver  it  into  the  hands  of  our  aforefaid  neigh- 
bour, and  to  obliterate  that  order  which  that  paper 
did  occaiion  :  This  removed,  you  may  be  pieai'ed 
to  meet  with,  and  debate  fredy,  and  vote  in  all  mat-, 
ters  with  us  as  if  fuch  grievances  had  not  been  a«< 
mongft  us.  Secondly,  If  yet  ought  remain  griev- 
ous which  we  ourfeives  by  free  debate  and  confer- 
ence cannot  compofe,  we  offer  to  be  judged  and 
penfured  by  four  men,  which  out  of  any  part  of 
the  colony  you  ftiall  choofe  two,  and  we  the  other.**. 

Gentlemen,  1  only  add,  that  I  crave  your  lov- 
ing pardon  to  your  bold  but  true  friend, 

Roger  Williams." 

This  addrefs  had  the  defired  effed  ;  and  when 
the  town  came  together,  and  Mr  Williams  had  a 
full  hearing  of  the  cafe,  he,in  the  name  of  the  town, 
drew  an  anfwer  to  Sir  Henry  Vane's  letter,  on  Au- 
gufi:  27th,  1654,  which  now  remains  on  record  ia 
iiis  own  hand  writing  as  follows  : 
''SIR, 

"  Although  we  are  agrieved  at  your  late  re- 
th-ement  from  the  helm  of  public  affairs,  yet  we 
rejoice  to  reap  the  fweet  fruits  of  your  reft  in  your 
pious  and  loving  lines,  moil  feafonably  fent  unto 
us.  Thus  the  iun  when  he  retires  his  brightnefs 
from  the  world,  yet  from  under  the  very  clouds  wc 
perceive  his  prefence,and  enjoy  fome  light  and  heat, 
and  fweet  refrefhings.  Sir,  your  letters  were  di- 
rededto  allandeveiy  particular  town  of  this  Provi- 
dence colony.  Surely  Sir,  among  the  many  pro- 
vidences of  the  moil  High,  toward  this  town  of 
Providence,  and  this  Providence  colony,  we  can- 
not but  fee  apparantly  his  gracious  hand,  provid- 
ing your  honorable  felf  for  fo  noble  and  true  a 
friend  to  an  out-caft  and  defpifed  people.  From 
the  hrll  bcgining  of  thb  Providence  colony,  (oc- 

calioned 


194      HISTORY  of  the  BAPTISTS 

cafioned  by  the  baniihment  of  feme  in  this  place 
from  the  MalTachufctts)  we  lay  ever  iince  to  this 
very  day,  we  liave  reaped  the  Iweet  fruits  or  your 
conftant  loving  kindnefs  and  favor  towaids  us,. 
Oh  Sir  !  whence  then  is  it  that  you  have  bent 
your  bow,  and  ihot  your  fharp  and  bitter  arrows 
now  againft  us  ?  Whence  is  it  that  you  charge  us 
with  diviiions,  diforders,  Szc.  ?  Sir,  we  huinbly 
pray  your  gentle  acceptance  of  our  two  (old  anfwer. 

*'  fiv^ST,  we  have  been  greatly  diilurbed  and 
diftra6led  by  the  ambition  and  covetoufneis  of  lomc 
amongft  ourfelves.  Sir  we  were  in  complcat  or-^ 
der  untill  Mr.  Coddington  (wanting  that  public 
felfdenylng  fpirit  which  you  commend  to  us  in 
your  letter)  procured,  by  moft  untrue  information, 
a  monopoly  of  part  of  the  colony,  viz.  Rhode- 
Ifland  to  himfelf,  and  fo  occafioned  our  general 
difturbance  and  dlftraclions.  Secondly,  Mr.  Dyrc,, 
■with  no  lefs  w^ant  of  a  public  ipirit,  being  ruined 
by  party  contentions  with  ]\lr.  Coddington,  and 
bein^  bctrufted  to  brins^  from  Eno^land  the  letters 
of  the  council  of  flate  for  our  re-unitings,  he  hopes 
for  a  recruit  to  himfelf  by  other  men's  goods;  and 
(contrary  to  the  Hates  intentions  and  expreflions) 
plungeth  himfelf  and  fome  others,  in  molt  unnccef- 
lary  and  unrighteous  plundering,  both  of  Duch 
and  French,  and  Knglifli  alfo,  to  our  great  grief, 
who  protellcd  againll  fuch  abufe  of  our  power 
from  England  ;  and  tlie  end  of  it  is  to  the  fbamo 
and  reproach  of  himfelf,  and  the  very  Englini  name, 
as  all  thefe  parts  do  wimefs.** 

"  Sir,  our  fecond  anlwer  is  (that  \vc  may  not 
lay  all  the  load  upon  oilfk-  mens  backs)  that  pofli- 
bly  a  fwect  cup  hath  rendered  many  of  us  wantou 
and  too  active  ;  for  we  have  long  drunk  of  the 
cup  of  as  great  liberties  as  any  people   that  vv-e  caa 

hear 


t;i554]      IN   NEW-ENGLAND.      195 

hear  of  under  the  whole  heaven.  We  have  not 
oiry  been  long  free  (together  with  all  New-Eng* 
land)  from  the  iron  yoke  of  wolviili  bifhops,  and 
their  popifh  ceremonies  (agalnft  whofe  cruel  op- 
preflions  God  raifed  up  your  noble  fpirit  in  parlia- 
ment)* but  we  have  fitten  quiet  and  dry,  from  the 
ftream:',  of  blood  fpilt  by  that  war  in  our  native  cc^in- 
try.  We  have  not  felt  the  new  chains  of  thepref- 
byterian  tyrants,  nor  in  this  colony,  have  we  been 
confumed  with  the  over-zealous  fire  of  the  (fo  cal- 
led) godly  chriilian  magiftrates.  Sir,  we  have  not 
known  what  an  excife  means  ;  we  have  almoU 
forgot  what  tythes  are,  yea,  or  taxes  either,  to 
dhurch  or  common  wealth.  We  could  name  other 
fpecial  privileges,  ingredients  of  our  fweet  cup, 
which  your  great  wifdom  knows  to  be  very  pow- 
erful! Texcept  more  than  ordinary  watchfulnefs) 
to  render  the  bed  of  men  wanton  and  forgetful. 
But  bleffcd  be  your  love,  and  your  loving  heart 
and  hand,  awakening  any  of  our  Ueepy  fpirits  by 
your  fweet  alarm  ;  and  bleflfed  be  your  noble 
family,  root  and  branch,  and  all  your  pious  and 
prudent  engagements  and  retirements.  We  hope 
you  fliall  no  more  complain  of  the  fadning  of  your 
loving  heart,  by  the  men  of  Providence  town  or 
Providence  colony,  but  that  when  we  are  gone, 
and  rotten,  our  pofterity  and  children afcer  us  fhali 
read  in  our  town  records,  your  pious  and  favora- 
ble letters  and  loving  kindnefs  to  us,  and  this  our 
anfwer,  and  real  endeavour  after-peace  and  righ- 
teoufnefs ;  and  to  be  found  Sir,  your  moil  obliged, 

and 

*  When  thofe  cruel  opprefTorsltad  regained  their  power  in 
1662,  fo  as  to  ejeft  2000  proteftant  teachers  out  of  their  places, 
they  wreaked  their  vengeance  on  this  noble  man,  fo  as  to  have 
bim  publicly  beheaded  :  but  he  died  in  an  heroic  maaner. 


■«96      HISTORY  of  the  BAPTISTS 

■and  moil  humble  fervants,  the  town  of  Providence, 
if}.  Providence  colony  in  New-England, 

Gregory  Dexter,  rown-Clcrk." 
'  They  chole  commiflioners,  who  met  with  thofe 
■from  the  other  towns  on  Auguli  31  ;  when 
^thev  aoreed  that  the  affairs  that  had  been  tranfacted 
by  authority  in  each  town  lliouldremain  till  further 
orders  ;  and  that  for  the  future  tlicir  government 
fliould  be  managed  according  to  their  charter  ; 
and  that  an  aflembly  of  fix  commiflioners  from 
each  town,  fhould  tranfacl  the  bulinefs  of  making 
laws,  and  trying  their  general  atiairs,  and  they 
ordered,  "  That  Mr.  Ezekiei  Holiman,  and  Mr. 
John  Greene,  jun*r,  are  to  view  the  general  laws 
of  the  colony,  and  to  reprclent  them  to  the  next 
court  of  commiflioners.'*  And  they  appointed  a 
general  election  at  Warwick  on  Sept.  12.*  At  that 
elc<!ilion  Mr.  Williams  was  chofen  prefident  of  the 
colony  ;  and  the  afTembly  ordered,  *'  That  Mr. 
Roger  Williams,  and  Mr.  Gregory  Dexter  draw 
forth  and  fend  letters  of  humble  thankfgiving,  to 
•his  Highnefs  the  t?ord  Protecfor,  and  Sir  Henry 
Vane,  Mr.  Holland,  and  IMr.  John  Clarke,  in  the 
name  of  the  colony,  and  Mr.  Williams  is  deiired 
to  fubfcribe  them  by  virtue  of  his  office."  Thus 
-far  things  appeared  encouraging  ;  but  as  tyranny 
and  licentioufnefs  are    equally  enemies,  both  to 

government 

*  Providence  Recirds. — The  names  of  the  com miiTioners  who 
compofcd  arid  figncd  this  amicable  fetllement  were,  Thomas 
Harris,  Gregory  Dexter,  John  Sayles,  Wilii^m  V\  ickenden, 
John  Brown  and  HcnryBrown,  for  Providence  ;  WilliamB^iillion, 
John  Roome,  Thom:^s  Corn<^,  John  Briggs  and  WiiHam  Hall, 
for  Porjl'mouth  ;  Eenedicl  A)^t)ld,  Richard  Jew,  John  Coggfbull, 
John  E;4fton.  William  Lyiherland  and  Thomas  Gould,  for  New- 
port ;  John  Greene  fenior,  Rsnd^I  Holden,  Ezukiel  Holiman, 
John  Greene,  jun.  JohnTownfcnd,  for  Warwick.  Arnold  hh  his 
father's  pnny  atPawtuxet  and  was  received  a  freeman  at  Newport 
in  iMay  1653  ;  after  which  he  was  greatly  promo Ud  in  the  colony. 


[1654]       IN   NEW-ENGLAND.       297 

government  and  liberty,  Mr.  Williams  often  had 
both  of  theni  to  conllicl:  with.  Soon  after  this  iet- 
tlemcnt  a  perfon  font  a  paper  to  the  town  of  Pro- 
vidence, T^hat  it  was  blood-guiitnefs,  and  againji  the 
rule  of  thegdfpel,  to  execute  judgment  upon  trarifgreffurs^ 
againji  the  private  or  public  iveal.  But  laid  Mr^. 
Williams,  **•  That  ev^er  I  Ihould  fpeak  or  write  a 
tikle  that  tends  to  fuch  an  infinite  liberty  of  con- 
fcience  is  a  mlftake,  and  which  I  have  ever  dif- 
claimed  and  abhorred.  To  prevent  fuch  millakes,^ 
I  at  prefent  fhall  only  propofe  this  cafe.  There  goes 
many  a  ihip  to  fea,  with  many  hundred  fouls  in 
one  fliip,  whofe  weal  and  \yoe  is  common  ;  and 
is  a  true  picture  of  a  common-wealth,  or  an  humaa 
combination,  or  fociety.  It  hath  fallen  out  foms 
times  that  both  Papiib  and  Proteftants,  Jews  and 
Turks  may  be  embarked  into  one  Ihip.  Upon 
which  fuppofal,  I  afiirm  that  all  the  liberty  of  con^ 
fcience,  that  ever  I  pleaded  for,  turns  upon  thefe 
two  hinges.  That  none  of  the  Papitls,  Proteftants, 
Jews  or  Turks,  be  forced  to  come  to  the  (liip's 
prayers  or  worlhlp  ;  nor  compelled  from  their  owa 
particular  prayers  or  worihip,  if  they  practice  any* 
1  further  add,  that  I  never  denied,  that  notwith- 
ilanding  this  liberty,  the  commander  of  this  ftilp 
ought  to  command  the  fhip's  courfe  ;  yea,  and  alfo 
coirrmand  that  jufticc,  peace  and  fobriety  to  be  kept 
and  practifed,  both  among  the  fcamen  and  all  the 
palfcngers.  if  any  of  the  feamcn  refufe  to  perforirx, 
their  fervice,  or  paiTcngcr  to  pay  their  freight  •,  if 
any  refufe  to  help  in  perfon  or  purfe,  towards  4;he 
common  charges  or  defence  ;  if  any  refufe  to  obey 
the  common  laws  and  orders  of  the  ihip,  concern- 
ing their  common  peace  of  prefervation  ;  ii  any 
fhall  mutiny  a/id  rife  up  againft  their  commanders 
and  oHicers,  j  if  any  fhould  preach  or  write,  that 
C^  q  there 


i9S      HiSTDRY  ot  THE  BAPTISTS 

there  ought  to  be  no  commanders  nor  officers,  be* 
caufe  all  are  equal  in  Chritt,  therefore  no  mafters 
nor  oflicers,  no  laws  nor  orders,  no  corredions  nor 
puniihments  ;  I  fay,I  never  denied  but  in  fiich  cafes, 
whatever  is  pretended,  the  commander  or  com- 
manders may  judge,  refift,  compel  and  punifh  fucli 
tranfgreffbrs,  according  to  their  deferts  and  merits. 
This  if  ferioufly  ind  hoiielUy  minded,  may  if  it  fo 
pleaie  the  Father  of  lights,  let  in  fome  light  to  ^uch 
as  willingly  fhut  not  their  eyes.  1  remain  fludious 
of  your  common  peace  and  liberty* 

Roger  Williams.'** 

This  clear  defcription  of  the  difference  between 
civil  and  ecclefiaftical  affairs,  and  of  the  difference 
betwixt  good  government  on  the  one  hi:nd,  and 
tyranny  or  licentioufnefs  on  the  other,  confirmed 
by  a  correfpondant  practice  thlough  fifty  years  of 
inceffant  labors,  are  more  than  a  fufBcicnt  ballance 
to  all  the  flanders  that  various  parties  have  caft  up- 
on this  ancient  witnefs  and  advocate  for  the  rights 
and  liberties  of  men,  againfl  the  fuperftitions  and 
cnthufeafms  of  his  day.  Having  fettled  things  as 
"well  as  he  could  among  his  own  people,  he  as  pre- 
fident  of  his  colony,  addrelfed  the  general  affem- 
bly  at  Boflon,  in  the  following  words,  direcfed  to 
their  governor. 

"  Providence  15.  9  month  ^^  (fo  called.) 
"  Much  honored  Sir, 

*'  It  is  my  humble  and  earnefl  petition  unto 
God  and  you,  that  you  may  be  fo  pleafed  to  exer- 
cife  command  over  your  own  fpirits  that  you  may 
not  mind  myfelf  nor  the  Englifh  of  thefe  parts,(un-, 
worthy  with  myfelf  of  your  eye)  but  only  that  face 
of  equity  (Englifh  and  ChrilUan)  which  I  humbly 
hope  may  appear  in  thefe  reprelcntations  following. 

First 
*  Hiftory  of  Providence, 


[16553      IN    NEW-ENGLAND.        2199 

"  F I  K.ST,  May  it  piqafe  you  to  remember,  that 
concerning  the  town  of  Warwick,  there  lies  a  luit 
,of  2000I.  damages  againft  you  before  his  highnefs 
_:u\d  the  lords  or  the  council.  I  doubt  not,  if  you 
fo  pleaie,  but  thai  (as  Mr.Winflow  and  myfelf  had 
well  nigh  ordered  it)  fome  gentlemen  from  your- 
felves  and  fome  from  Warwick  dcputed,may  friend- 
ly and  eafily  determine  that  aftair  between  you.  * 

"  Secondly,  The  Indians  which  pretend  your 
liame  at  Warwick  and  Pawtuxet  (yet  live  as  bar- 
berouily  if  not  more  tlian  any  in  the  whole  colony^ 
pleafe  you  to  know  their  inli)lences  upon  ourfelves 
and  cartlc  (unco  20I.  damag'^s  per  annum)  are  in- 
fufferable  by  Englifh  Ipirits  ;  and  pleafe  you  to  give 
credance  that  to  all  thffe  they  pretend  your  name, 
and  affirm  that  they  do  not  (for  offending  you)  a- 
gree  with  us^  nor  come  to  mle$  of  righteous  neigh- 
borhood, 

*  Thus  it  appears  that  their  invadirrg  their  neighbors  rights 
at  Warwick,  caufcd  troubles  for  them  in  England  3bove  ten  years 
afier,  which  Mr.Winflow  their  agent,  and  Mr.  Williams,  could 
not  quite  fettle  ;  and  they  not  complying  with  his  reafonablc 
propofai  .low,  Gorton  entersd  a  complaint  agninft  them  be- 
fore king  Charles's  commillioncrs  in  1665,  in  which  hefides  all 
their  other  fuffcri.igs,  they  alledged  that  the  M:^ffichufetts  took 
away  and  fold  eighty  head  of  their  cattle,  Majjachufcttt  biftory 
!VoL    I.  page   123. 

The  controverfy  not  being  then  fcttltd,  drew  confequences 
after  it  enough_to  make  our  cars  to  tingle  ;  an  account  of  whica 
I  perceive  was  prefenned  to  king  Charles  the  fecond,  in  1679,  by 
K^ndalHolden  and  others,  as  agents  from  Warwick, '.vherc  in  they, 
after  defcribing  th«ir  fuifering  at  Pofton,  fay,  "  and  ^11  ihis 
bccaufe  that  Ave  (being  without  their  iurifdidion)  would  not  re- 
linquifb  and  forfake  the  found  dortrine  and  chriftian  principles 
taught  us  in  our  minority  in  the  church  of  England."  Upoa 
which  they  go  on  to  relate  how  th^-t  party  d'fpofition  sgainft  them^, 
after  exafperating  the  Narrag^nfets  in  Philip's  war,  left  War- 
wick defencelefs  to  the  fury  of  ihe  favigcs  ;  and  that  tkie  Engljfli 
themfelvesdid  them  other  great  injuries  afterward.  How  fhould  thcfe 
things  wara  all  to  leave  off  contenllon  before  it  is  meddled  vriijj  J 


3C0      HISTORY  OF  the  BAPTISTS 

borhood,..only  they  know  you  favor  us  not,  and 
therefore  fend  us  for  redrels  unto  you. 

"  Thirdly,  Concerning  four  f.unih'es  at  Paw- 
tuxet,  may  it  pleafe  you  to  remember  the  two  con- 
Irovxrfics  they  have  long  (under  your  name)  main- 
tained with  us,  to  the  conjlant  Gbjiruding  of  aH  order 

and  authority,  ainorgli  u^. To  obey  his  highnefles 

authoi'ity  in  this  charter,  they  fay  they  dare  not  for 
your  fakes,  though  they  hve  not  by  your  Jaws,  nor 
by  y^our  common  charges,  nor  ours,  but  evade  both 

tm^y  colour  cf  your  authority. Be  pleafed  to  con- 

iid'er'how  unluitahle  it  is  for  yourfeives  to  be  the 
obftructors  of  all  orderly  proceedings  anion gft  us  ; 
for  I  humbly  appeal  to  yo^r  own  vvifdoms  and  ex- 
perience, how  unhkcly  it  is  for  a  people  to  be  com- 
pelled to  order  and  common  charges,  when  others 
in  their  bofoms  are  by  iuch  (feeming)  partiality 
exempted  from  both." 

lie  then  obferves,  that  there  were  in  reality  on- 
ly V/.  Arnold  and  VJ.  Carpenter,  "  very  far  in  re- 
ligion from  you,  if  you  knew  all,"  who  continued 
this  obflruclion  ;  and  all  their  plea  for  it  was  a  fear 
of  offending  the  Maffachuietts.  And  lays  he,  *"-  f 
conceive  your  commerce  with  the  people  of  thi*; 
colony  is  as  great  as  with  any  in  the  country,  and 
our  dangers  (being  a  frontier  people  to  the  barba- 
aians)  *  are  greater  than  thofe  of  other  colonics, 
and  the  ill  confequences  to  yourfeives  would  b« 
not  few  nor  fmall,  and  to  the  whole  land,  were  we 
lirft  maPxiicrcd  or  mallered  by  them.  1  pray  your 
e<]uarand  favorable  reflection  upon  that  your  lav/, 
which  prohibits  us  to  buy  of  you  all  means  of  om^ 
neceifary  defence,  of  our  lives  and  families  ;  yea, 

in 

*  When  Mr.  Williams  firft  beg?.n  among  tte  NarrsgaifcUj  he 
laid  they  had  50QO  frgluing  u^cn,     LulUudar ,  /'.-.i;.-^  ;c. 


[1655]       iJJ  NEW-ENGLAND.      301 

in  this  bloody  and  maflacreing  time.  We  are  in- 
formed that  tickets  have  rarely  been  denied  to  any 
EngUdi  of  the  country  ;  yea,  the  barbarians,  though 
notorious  in  lies,  if  they  profeis  fubjeclion,  they 
are  furnilhed  :  [See  page  125.]  only  ourfelves,  by 
former  and  latter  denial,  feem  to  be  devoted  to  be 
the  Indian-fliambies  and  maffacres.  The  barbari- 
ans all  the  land  over  are  filled  with  artillery  and 
ammunition  from  the  Dutch,  openly  and  horridly, 
and  from  the  Englilh  all  over  the  country,  by 
Ifealth,  T  know  they  abound  io  wonderfully,  that 
their  activity  and  infolences  is  grown  fo  high,  that 
they  daily  confult  and  hope  and  threaten  to  ren- 
der us. Haves,  as  they  long  fmcc  have  made  the 
Dutch.  For  myfelf,  as  through  God's  goodnefs, 
I  have  refufed  the  gain  of  thoufands  by  fuch  a 
murderous  trade,  and  think  no  law  yet  extant  a- 
mong  yourfelvcs  or  us,  fecure  enough  againft  fuch 
villany  ;  fo  am  I  loth  to  fee  fu  many  hundred,  if 
not  fome  thoufands,  in  this  colony  deftroyed  hke 
fools  and  bealts  without  reiiilance.  I  grieve  that 
io  much  blood  fhould  cry  againft  yourfelves  ;  yea; 
and  1  grieve,  that  at  this  inftant  by  thefe  fhips, 
this  cry  and  the  premihs  iiiould  now  trouble  his 
highnefs  and  his  council.  For  the  feafonable  pre- 
venting of  which  is  this  humble  addrefs  prefented 
to  your  wifdom,  by  him  who  deiires  to  be  your 
unfeigned  and  faithful  fervant, 

Roger  Williams, 
Of  Providence-Plantations,  prefident.** 
H  R  then  requefted  them  to  record  an  order 
which  the  lords  of  the  council  gave  him  upon  his 
laft  return  from  England,  for  his  free  taking  of 
Hiip  or  landing  at  their  ports,  leaft,  fays  he,  "  for- 
gctfuhiefs  hereafter  again  put  mc  upon  fuch  dif^ 

trejjes 


302      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

irefes  aS,  God  knows,  I  fufFered  when  I  laft  pafTed 
through  your  colony  to  our  n.itive  country.*'  * 

The  above  were  not  ail  the  trying  things  that 
he  met  with  thiii  year.  No,  Mr.  Willian.  Harris, 
to  whom  he  generouUy  give  a  lliare  in  Providence 
lands, and  wnj  iiaa  piotelled  hinv.df  a  baptiit,*" lent 
his  writings  to  tlie  main  and  to  the  iiland,  againft 
all  earthly  powers,  parliaments,  laws,  cnarters, 
magiilrates,  priibns,  puniihments,  rates,  yea,  ae^inft 
all  kings  and  princes,  under  the  notion  that  the 
pcopL^  should  fhortly  cry  out,  Nc  hu/s,  ?io  majien  ; 
and  in  open  court  protelted,  before  the  whole  co- 
lony aflcmbly,  that  he  would  maintain  his  writings 
ijoith  his  bI:Dd  /"  This  was  done  at  the  cleclion  at 
J^ewport,  May  22d,  1655.  ^^pon  which  the  af- 
fenibly  appointed  Meilrs.  OIney,  Baulfton  and 
Roome,  to  deal  with  him  ;  and  Mr  Vvilliams  foon, 
after  received  the  loJlovving  letter  from  the  lord 
protector,  viz. 

"  Gentlemen, 

"Your  agent  here  hath  reprefented  unto  us  fomc 
particulars  concerning  your  government,  which 
you  judge  neeelTary  to  be  fettled  by  us  here,  but  by 
reaibn  of  the  other  great  and  weighty  aflairs  of 
this  common- wealth,  we  have  been  neccflitated  to 
defer  the  confideration  of  them  to  further  oppor-, 
tunity  ;  in  the  mean  time  we  are  willing  to  let  you 
know,  that  you  were  to  proceed  in  your  govern- 
ment according  to  the  tenor  of  your  charccr,  for- 
merly granted  on  that  behalf,  taking  care  of  the 
peace  and  fafety  of  thofe  plantations,  that  neither 
tlirough  inteftine  commotions  or  foreign  invalions, 
there  do  arife  any  detriment  or  didionor  to  their 

common-wealth 

*  Maffachufitts  kifiory  vol.  3.  page  z']'^  —  7-]%. This  year 

the  church  of  Charleftown  began  their  dealings  with  Mr.  Gould,^ 
-which  ,ii!u«J  ia  Kis  g^iheriiig  the  hrft  baptift  church  iu  Boftoa, 

/ 


[1656]       IN  NEW-EN  GLAND.       303 

common -wealth  or  yourfelves,  as  far  as  you  by 
yonr  care  and  diligence  can  prevent.  And  as  for 
the  things  that  are  before  us,  they  fliall,  as  foon  as 
the  other  occafions  will  permit,  receive  a  juft  and 
jfiulicient  determination.  And  fo  we  bid  you  fare- 
wel  and  reft,  Your  very  loving  friend, 

Oliver,  P." 
March  29th,   1655. 

To  our  truily  and  ivell-beloved,  the  prefident^  affif- 
tant^  and  inhabitant  of  Rbode-I/land,  together 
ivith  Narraganfet-B'ay^  in  New-England, 

Hereupon  the  aflembly  met  again,  June  28th, 
and  enacted  that,  •*  Whereas  we  have  been  rent 
and  torn  with  diviiions.  and  his  highnefs  hath  fent 
unto  us  an  exprefs  command,  under  his  hand  and 
feal,  to  provide  againft  inteftinc  commotions,  by 
which  his  highnefs  noteth,  that  not  only  ourfeh^es 
are  diihonored  and  endangered,  but  alio  difhonor 
and  detriment  redounds  to  the  common-wealth  of 
Enghiad  :  It  is  ordere  !,  that  if  any  perfdn  or  per- 
fons  be  found,  by  the  examination  and  judgment 
of  the  general  court  of  commifiioners,  to  be  a 
ring-leader  or  ring-leaders  of  factions  or  diviiions 
among  us,  he  or  they  fhall  be  fent  over  at  his  or 
their  own  charges,  as  prifoners,  to  receive  his  or 
their  trial  or  fentence  at  the  pleafure  of  his  high- 
nefs and  the  lords  of  his  council."  Ihefe  means 
had  fuch  effect,  that  at  their  affembly  at  Warwick, 
in  March  following  I  find  it  thus  recorded. 

''  1  William  Coddington  do  freely  fubmit  to 
the  authority  of  his  highnefs  in  the  colony  as  it  is 
now  united,  and  that  with  all  my  iieart. 

"  Whereas  there  have  been  differences  depend- 
ing between  William  Coddington,  Efq;  and  Mr. 
Wi.Uiam  Dyre,  both  of  Newport,  we  declare  joy- 
fully for  ourfdves  and  heirs  by  this  prefent  rec(>r^. 

that'  ' 


304      HISTORY  OF  the  BAPTISTS 

that  a  full  agreement  and  conclufion  is  made  be- 
tween us,  by  our  worthy  friends,  Mr,  Haulfton, 
>jr.  Gorton,  Mr.  John  Smith  of"  Warwick,  Mr. 
John  Greene,  jim.  of  Warwick,  and  Mr.  John 
Jtailon  ;  and  in  witnefs  whereof  we  fabfcribe  our 
Jiands,  and  dc/ir^  this  to  be  recorded,  this  pre- 
fent  14th  of  March,   1655,   1656. 

"William  Coddington, 
In  the  prefence  of  William  Dyre." 

•Roger  Williams,  prciident, 
John  Roome, 
I3enedicT:  Arnold, 
John   Greene,  jun. 

And  Harris  now  turned,  and  cried  up  govern- 
ment and  maoiftrates  as  much  as  he  had  cried  them 
down  before.  *  And  being  deiirous  to  make  tho- 
rough work  of  it,  Mr.  Williams  wrote  again  to  the 
MafTachufetts  governor,  and  was  encouraged  by 
him  to  come  to  their  alfembly  at  Bofton,  which  he 
did,  with  an  addrefs,  dated  May  i  2th,  wherein  he 
fays,  "  Honored  Sirs,  our  firft  requeft  was  and  is, 
for  your  favorable  conHderation  of  tlie  long  and  la- 
mentable condition  of  the  town  of  Warwick,which 
hath  been  thus.  They  are  fo  dangeroully  and  fo 
vexatioufly  intermmgled  v  ith  the  barbarians,  that 
I  have  lor.g  admired  the  wonderful  power  of  God 
in  reflraining  and  preventing  very  great  fires,  of' 
.mutual  {laughters,  bica]:ing  forth  between  them. 
Your  -uirdc.aujknow  the  inhuman  inlultations  of 
thelc  wild  creatures,  and  }  ou  may  be  pleafedalio  to 
imagine,  that  they  have  not  been  fpareing  of  your 
name  as  the  patron  of  all  their  wickcdnels  againffc 
our  Englifhmen,  womejj  and  children,  and  cattle, 
to  the  yearly  damage  of  60,  80  and  lool.  The  re- 
medy 

*  V.hcde-IJland  Colony  records.  ■■■Willi  ami  againft'  the 

Quakers,  p^ge  ii — 20.  •^'     • » 


liese"]       IN  NEW-ENGLAND.       30^ 

medy,  under  God  is  only  your  plcafure  that  Pum^ 
ham  (hall  come  to  an  agreement  with  the  town  or 
colony,  and  that  lome  convenient  way  and  time  b« 
fet  for  their  removal.  And  that  your  wiidoms 
may  fee  jull  grounds  for  fuch  your  willingnefs,  be 
pleafcd  to  be  informed  of  a  reality  of  a  folemn  co- 
venant between  this  town  of  Warwick  and  Pum- 
ham,  unto  svhich,  notwithftanding  he  pleads  his 
being  drawn  to  it  by  the  awe  of  his  fuperior 
fachem.s,  yet  I  humbly  offer  that  what  v/as  done 
was  according  to  the  law  and  tenor  of  the  natives 
-( I  take  it)  in  all  New-England  and  America,  viz- 
that  the  inferior  fachems  and  fubjecls  Ihall  plant 
and  remove  at  the  plcafure  of  the  highell  and 
fapreme  fachems,  and  I  humbly  conceive  that  it 
plealeth  the  moft  Uigh  and  only  wife  to  make  ufe 
of  fuch  a  bond  of  authority  over  them,  without 
which  they  could  not  long  fubhft  in  hura^an  focijs- 
tieSjin  this  v/ild  condition  wherein  they  are.  Pleafe 
you  not  to  be  infenfable  of  the  ilipery  and  danger- 
ous condition  of  this  their  intermingled  co-habita- 
tion. I  am  humbly  Confident,  chat  all  theEnglifh 
towns  and  plantations  in  all  New-England  put  to- 
gether, fuffer  not  fuch  moleftation  from  the  natives 
as  this  OF*e  town  and  people. -. — ^Be  pleafed  to  re- 
view this  copy  from  the  lord  admiral  [See  p.  197.] 
that  this  Englifh  town  lof  Warwick  ihould  proceed, 
and  that  if  any  of  yours  were  there  planted,  they 
fliould  by  your  authority  be  removed.  And  if  the 
Englidi,  whole  removes  are  .difiicult  and  x:harge- 
able,  hov/  much  more  thefe  wild  ones,  who  remove 
with  little  more  trouble  and  damage  than  thewildi 
^cafts  of  the  wilderncfs  ?-*^This  fmal!  neck,  wherCf 
on  they  keep  and  mingle  fields  with  the  EngWhi 
js  a  very  den  of  wickednefs,  wljere  they  not  only 
pi  ac'ticc  the  horrid  barbacHins  Qf  ,9]!  kinds  of  whor^p 


2o6      HISTORY  of  the  BAPTISTS 

doms,  idolatiics  and  conjurations,  but  living  with- 
out ,ill  cxercifc  oi^  actual  aatUodty,and  getting  {lore 
or  liquors  (to  our  giief )  there  is  a  conliucnce  and 
rendezvous  of  all  the  wildeil  and  moft  licentious 
natives  and  pra<^iccs  oi  the  whole  country.'*  He 
then  proceeded  to  inculcate  his  other  former  re- 
quells,  which  now  had  their  efl'ect*  * 

The  journal  of  governor  Winthrop fhews,  that 
before  they  received  Fumham  and  his  t'ellows  under 
their  prat cclion, the  court  made  them  p.romiie  to  keep 
the  fabbath,  and  to  oblerve  other  religious  niles  ; 
but  this  account  manifeft;  the  pernici  us  evil  of  in- 
vadinw  athers  rii^ht^  under  the  malk  of  religion  ; 
and  they  were  awhiily  requited  therefotr.  Belide, 
the  manifold  troubles  tliat  it  coit  the  Maflachuietts 
before,  in  P.hilip's  war  ;  t'aey  not  only  "  lull  more 
of  their  fubllance  as  well  as  inhalitauts  than  both 
Plymouth  and  Conaeclicut  colonies  together."  | 
But  Pumliam  and  his  family  had  la  gi  eat  a  hand, 
tiierein,  tliac  the  difpatching  of  a  grandlbn  of  his  is 
mentioned  among  the  heroic  explo.it^  of  Claptaia 
I)eniibn,  nine  months  after  that  war  began  ; 
andPuiTiham  himtelf  was. "accounted  the  moft  war- 
like and  btilfoldier  of  allthcNarraganfet  iachems  ;'* 
and  he  was  io  bloody  and  harburous,  through  the 
War,  that  when  he  was  killed  a  few  days  before 
i  ..Hip,  with  n  about  fifteen  ©r  twenty  miles  of 
Bofton,  he,  after  he  could  not  Hand,  "  catching 
hold  of  an  Engliihman,  tliat  by  accident  came  near 
him,  had  done  him  a  milchicf,  if  he  had  not  been 
pt  x'ciitly  rckued.'*  J 

!No  fooner  had  Mr.  Williams  obtained  fuch  a  fet- 
tlcnciit  of  old  controverlles  ii\  the  country,  but 

new 

^  Ma^achufetts  hJl^ory,  vol    3.  paf^e  278 — 283. 
t  Maliachwfctts  Kii'.o.-y,  vol    3.  page  493. 
X  H»bbird'»  hiftar^  of  th«tt  war^  page  68—- iocs* 


Ci557]      li*    NEW-EN  GLAND.      307 

3i<!w  ones  arofe  ia  the  following  manner.  George 
Fox,  a  very  zealous  teacner,  had  raiLed  a  nc  a'  iect 
in  Eng'and,  who  froiTi  his,  and  his  friends  com- 
panions quaking  and  trembling  when  they  were 
brought  before  Gervafe  Benhet,  a  jufticc  in  Derby, 
in  1650,  were  called  (Quakers  ;  though  Fox  fays 
it  was  becaufc,  "  w*e  bid  him  and  his  company* 
tremble  at  the  loord  cf  God,*^  *  In  July  (this  year) 
a  number  of  his  followers  arrived  at  Bofton,  buc 
were  foon  imprifoned.  Mr.  Gorton  wrote  to  them 
as  I  have  related  page  130,  to  wh  ch  they  gave  an 
anfwer  Sept.  28th,  wherein  they  fay,  "  Friend,  in 
that  meafure  which  we  have  received,  which  is 
eternal,  we  fee  thee,  and  behold  thee,  and  have 
accefs  with  thee,  in  that  which  is  meek  and  low, 
•and  is  not  of  this  world — and  in  that  meek  and  low 
fpirit  we  falute  thee,  and  ov/n  that  of  God  in  thee 
which  is  waiting  for,  and  expecting  the  riling  of 
that  which  is  under  the  earth — the  ranfomed  of  the 
Lord  Ihall  come  to  Zion  with  joy  and  gladnefs,  be- 
ing redeemed  from  kindreds,  nations,  tongues  and 
people,  by  the  blood  of  "Jefus,  ivhich  is  fpirit  and  lifg 
to  all  thofc  that  obey  the  light,  which  from  the  life 
doth  come,  for  the  life  is  the  light  of  men,  and 
wliofoever  believes  in  the  light  which  they  are  ai- 
lightencd  with,  fliall  not  abide  in  darknefs,  which 
light  we  have  obeyed  in  coming  into  thefc  parts* 
The  Lord  is  come  and  coming,  to  level  the  moun- 
tains, and  to  rend  the  rocks  of  wifdom  and  know- 
ledge, and  to  exalt  that  which  is  low  and  fooUlK 
to  the  wifdom  of  the  world,  and  bleflfed  iliali  thou, 
and  all  thofe  be,  v/ho  meets  him  in  this  his  work. 
From  the  fcryants  and  mclfengcrs  of  the  Lord 
whom  he  hath  fent  and  brought  by  the  arm  of 
bis  power  into  thefc  parts  of  the  world,  for  which 

we 
5  VVttIia.T3s's  dir^^ute  with  thcai;  p,  27.    Fox's  anfw-cr,  p.  3^, 


-03      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

we  fufFer  bonds  and  clofe  imprifonment.-r-Known 
in  the  world  by  thefe  names. 

ChriilapJier  Hplden,         Willian;!  Brend, 
John  Copchnd,  Thomas  Thuifton.'*- 

To  this  Gorton  wrots^  a  reply  recited  in  page 
132,  1 33>  and  tliercby  as  well  as  by  what  is  in*  page 
i4[5  142,  we  may  learn  tha^  he  held  with  them 
iibout  inward  power,  perfecrion  in  this  life,  and 
falling  frortl  grace  deceived  ;  but  v/hen  he  came  tq 
be  acquainted  with  them,  he  did  not  concur  with 
them  about  thee  and  thon,  and  the  names  of 
months  and  days,  nor  in  the  more  important  arti- 
cles of"  refuPaiP-  the  oath  of  allieg-ance  to  civil  sfo- 
vernment,  and  a  dcfenuve  war.  After  his  return 
from  England,  his  character  as  a  member  of  civil 
focicty,  and  as  a  ruler,  ftands  unimpeachcd  in  their 
records.  And  as  Fox  in  his  book  in  folio  had  faid, 
"  The  fcriptures  are  the  words  of  God,  but  Chrift 
is  the  Word  of  God  //;  ^cobo??!  they  end  And  it  is 
not  blafphemy  [as  an  author  faid  it  was]  to  fay  the 
Toul  if.  -part  of  God,  for  it  comes  out  of  him,  and  re- 
joiccth  in  him  :"  which  John  Stubs  tried  to  defend- 
againft  Mr.  WilUams,  from  thofe  words,  Gcd  breath- 
ed inlo  man  the  breath  of  lift:  ;  Gorton,  deiiring  li- 
berty to  Ipeak,  faid,  "  If  it  be  affirmed  that  God 
can  be  divided,  and  that  man  was  a  part  of  God, 
the  Godhead  was  deftroyed,  and  the  foul  of  man, 

'It  is  in  the  margin,  the  breath  of  li'ves,  whiclij 

Stubs  acknowledged.*'  * 

On  September  2d,  1656,  the  affembly  at  Bofton, 
wrote  to  the  commiili oners  of  the  united  colonies, 
a:id  faid,  "  Having  heaid  fomctme  Cnce,  that  cur 
neighbor  colony  of  Plymouth,  our  beloved  bre- 
thren in  a  great  part  feem  to  be  wanting  to  them- 
^ives,  in  a  due  acknowledgment  and  encourage- 

%  Williami  \^72/  page  144,  14;, 


[^1658]      IN   NEW-ENGLANt).       3*f 

mcnt  to  the  minlftry  of  the  gofpel,  fo  as  many  pi- 
ous minifters  (how  juftly  we  know  not)  have  de- 
ferted  their  flations,  callings  and  relations  ;  our 
delire  is,  that  fome  fuch  courie  may  be  taken,  as 
that  a  pious  orthodox  miniltry  may  be  reflated  a- 
mong  tliem,  that  fo  the  flood  of  errors  and  princi- 
ples of  anarchy,  may  be  prevented.  Here  have 
arrived  amongft  us  feveral  prefons,profeilLing  them- 
felves  Quakers,  fit  inilruments  to  propagate  the 
kingdom  of  Satan  :  for  the  fecuring  of  ourfelves, 
and  our  neighbors  from  fuch  pefts  we  have  im-' 
prifoned  them  till  they  be  difpatched  away  to  the 
place  ft-om  v»'hence  they  came — we  hope  that  fome 
general  rules  may  be  commended  to  each  general 
court,  to  prevent  the  coming  amongft  us,  from 
foreign  places  fuch  notorious  heretics  as  quakers, 
ranters,  &c. 

Ti-in,  commiffionefs  having  cotlfidered  the  pre- 
mifes,  cannot  but  acknowledge  the  godly  care  and 
zeal  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  MaiTachufetts,  to  up- 
hold and  maintain  thofe  profeffed  ends  of  coming 
into  thefe  parts,  and  of  combination  of  the  united 
colonies,  which  if  not  attended  in  particulars  afore- 
faid  will  be  rendei'-ed  wholly  fruftrate,  our  pro- 
fefiion  miferably  fcandciized,  ourfelves  become  a 
reproach  in  the  eyes  of  thofe  that  cannot  v.-ithoufc 
admiration  behold  our  fudden  defeclion  from 
our  iirft  principles."  From  whence  they  went 
on  to  inculcate  -what  the  MaiTachufetts  had 
propofed.  *' 

Though  the  MalTachufett  rulers  knew  not  whe- 
ther thofe  minifters  had  deferted  their  ftations  juil- 
iy  or  not,  yet  they  had  approved  of  the  fettlernent 
of  Mr.  Jolm  Mayo  in  Bollon,  Mr.  Edward  Bulk- 
ley  :it  Concord,  IVIr.  John  Reyncr  at  Dover  Twho 

preached 
y  MafTd-.nufejis  hiUcr;'.  vol.  3,  pag«  zS^-^zh^, 


%\b      tllStOtlY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

preached  in  Bofton,  the  winter  after  he  left  Ply* 
mouth)  Mr.  Richard  B!ii:nian.  at  Cape- Ann,  &Ck 
all  of  whom  were  miiiifters  in  Plymouth  colony> 
•when  the  colonies  confederated  together  in  16431 
We  leain  alio  t.at  Mr  John  Norton  arrived  at  Ply- 
mouth in  1635,  where  he  preached  the  toUowirg 
winter,  and  Mr.  Smith  their  pahor  rcfigned  his 
place  to  him,  "  and  the  cnurch  ufed  him  \\ii:h  ail 
■k'dpect,  and  large  offers,  yet  he  left  them — ,iilec;g- 
ing  that  Ins  fpnit  could  not  trnit^  za'ith  bim.'*  *  He 
went  and  fettled  'ut  Ipfwich,  but  after  Mr.  Cotton's 
death  removed  and  took  iiis  place  in  BoHon,  where 
fee  with  his  colleague  had  not  a  little  hand  'mfpLrit' 
ing  up  others  to  the  atjove  defcribed  mcaiures* 
.Another  vigorous  hand  in  the  fame  woik  wasMr* 
Cobbet,  who  arrived  at  Boffon  in  1637,  wxote 
againll  the  baptifts  \\\  1645,  '^^''^'^  miniiter  at  Lynn,, 
when  they  fufl'ered  there  in  1651,  but  upon  t"he 
death  of  Mr.  Nathaniel  Rogers  took  his  place  at 
Ipfwich,  where  the  town  on  Feb.  25,  this  year 
voted  to  give  him  an  lool.  to  buy  or  build  him  a 
houfe,  and  taxed  all  the  inJrabitrmts  to  pay  it* 
This  being  a  new  thing  with  them,  feveral  pcrfons 
would  not  comply  with  the  fchem^  :  Therefore 
dettrefs  was  made  upon  them  in  1657.  Snmuel 
Symonds,  Efq;  dcfccnded  trom  an  ancient  and 
Jionorable  family  in  hfiex  in  England,  was  theft 
one  of  th€  Maflachufetts  magiftiates,  and  at  laft 
died  their  deputy  go\einor.  Before  him  George 
Ciddings  profecuted  Edward  Brown,  for  leizing 
iiis  pewter  forfaid  tax  :  '1  he  juftice  gave  the  plantif 
damage  ;;nd  cofls,  for  which  judgment  he  rendered 
Ihefe  reafons  ;  "  I  underitand  this  to  be  about  a 
fundamental  law  r— Such  a  law  as  that  God  and 
Bature  has  given  to  a  people  j  fo  that  it  is  in  this 

truft 
f  Wimiircp— livbbard. 


[1C58]      IN  NEW-ENGLAND,      31X 

truft  of  their  governors  in  higheft  phce  and  others, 
to  preserve,  but  not  in  their  power  to  taive  away, 
from  them.  Of  this  fort  are  thefe,  viz.  i.  Eleclioi^ 
of  the  fapreme  governors.  2.  That  every  fubjec^ 
fli.ill  and  may  enjoy  what  he  hath  a  civil  right 
unto,  fo  as  it  canuot  be  taken  from  Rim,  by  way 
of  gift  or  loan,  tro  the  ufe  or  to  be  made  the  right 
or  property  of  another  man,  without  his  own  free 
confent.  3.  That  fuch  laws,  (though  called  liberties) 
yet  more  properly  may  be  called  rights,  and  in 
this  fenfc  this  may  be  added,  as  a  third  funda-.- 
mental  law,  viz.  That  no  cuftom  or  precedent 
ought  to  prevail  in  any  moral  cafe,  that  may  ap« 
pear  to  be  finful  in  refpec"?  of  the  breach  of  any 
Jaw  of  piety  againft  the  firft  table,  or  of  righteouf- 
nefs  again  It  the  fecond.-— 1  Ihall  add — -that  it  is 
againft  a  fundamental  law  in  natiire,  to  be  com- 
pelled to  pay  that  which  others  do  give  ;  for  then 
no  man  hath  any  certainty,  or  right  to  what  he; 
hath  ;  if  it  be  in  the  pov/er  of  others  by  pretence. 
of  authority  or  without,  to  give  it  away  (when 
in  their  prudence  they  conceive  it  to  be  for  the 
benefit  of  the  owner)  without  his  own  confent. — *- 
The  parliament  m,ay  tax,  and  that  juftly,  the  whole 
country  to  give  a  reward  to  qne  man  for  fprric 
fervice,  for  they  are  betrufted  fo  to  do.  The; 
reafon  is,  it  is  levied  upon  the  whole  country,  ivitb 
their  confent  J  and  for  the  immediate  benefit  of  the  ivhoh. 
But  if  they  (hould  do  it  between  perfons  (though 
they  fliould  do  it  by  powerjand  the  perfon  arranged 
hath  no  remedy  in  this  world)  yet  it  would  be 
accounted  tyranny.  Is  it  not  to  take  from  Peter 
and  give  unto  Paul  ?"  Then  after  mentioning  the 
law  for  minifters  faleries  in  page  98,  he  fays,  "  yet 
the  law  was  framed  fo,  as  fuch  churches  as  chofe 
to  go  in  a  voluntary  way  of  weekly  contribution, 


^i^'      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

might  fo  contixTiue,as  fome  churches  in  the  country- 
do  to  this  day.*'  After  an  appeal  to  the  county 
douFt,  the  queftion,  with  the  reaibns  each  party  had 
ihr  and  againll:  it,  was  puc  to  the  general  court, 
wiiether  the  town  vote  tor  giving  the  laid  icol. 
bound  the  inhabitants,  fo  that  any  of  them  who 
were  unwilling,  might  be  compelled  to  pay  it,  or 
not  ?  On  Oclober  iOth,  1657,  the  deputies  rclblv- 
cd  it  in  the  negative,  wliich  was  non-concurred  by 
the  council  ;  and  influence  enough  was  made  the 
next  day  to  bring  a  majority  of  the  houl'e  round 
to  thecorapeliing  iide.  * 

Neither  could  they  be  content  Vy'ith  ufing  com* 
pultion  thcmfelvcSj  but  the  commiffioncrs  ot  the  u- 
nited  colonies,  wrote  to  that  of  Providence,  Sept.  25^ 
1656,  to  try  to  draw  them  into  their  meafures  to- 
wards the  CXiakers.  To  this  the  ailembly  at  Portf- 
mouth  gave  an  anfwer,  on  March  13th,  1657, 
wherein  they  ("ay,  ^"  Whereas  freedom  of  (iiiferent 
confciences  to  be  protected  from  inforcements  was 
the  principal  grouniil  of  our  charter,  both  with  rev 
fpecl  to  our  humble  fuit  for  it,  as  alfo  to  the  true 
intent  of  the  honorable  and  renowned  parliament 
of  England,  in  granting  of  the  fame  to  us,  which 
freedom  we  ftiil  prize,  as  the  greatefl  happinefs  that 

men 

*  Morffachifctts  hiircry,  vol.  3.  page  287-— 308. So  la 

0:"t>jbcr  l6$8,  the  majority  of  ihc  houfe  were  agdinft  the  law,  to 
banilTi  Quakers  on  pain  of  death  ;  but  the  council,  with  the  help 
cf  feme  minifters,  at  laft  prevailed  to  carry  it,  by  the  majority 
of  only  one  vote  ;  which,  when  deacon  Wozel  [or  Wifwalj  un- 
(Sjcrftood  he  wept,  and  though  illnefs  caufcd  his  abfccnce,  yet  had 
police  been  given  him,  he  faid,  "  if  he  had  not  been  able  to  go, 
fce  would  have  crept  upon  his  hands  and  knees,  rather  than  it 
ftould  have  been."  Thus  thofe  oppreffions  were  c<^rried  on  by  a 
few  men,  agiinft  the  fenfe  of  the  beft  part  of  the  community. 
Endicot,  Bellingham,  Biadftreet  and  Denilbn,  with  the  minifters 
they  fu  tinder,  wcne  as  guilty  in  this  refpeCt  as  any.  Bij7iop\ 
Jiiew- England  Judged,     Ma^ffachufcils  hiftsry^  voL  I.  p.  X9i». 


ti658]       IN   NEW-ENGLAND.       315 

men  can  poITefs  in  this  world,  therefore  we  fliall 
for  the  prefcrvation  of  our  civil  peace  and  order, 
the  more  efpecially  take  notice  that  thofe  people, 
and  any  others  that  are  here,  or  fhall  come  among 
us,  be  impartially  required,  and  to  our  utmofl,  con- 
llrained  to  perform  ail  civil  duties  reouifite. — And 
in  cafe  they  refufc  it,  we  refolve  to  make  ufe  of  the 
iirft  opportunity  to  inform  our  agent.^  refiding  in 
England,"  &c.  They  clofe  with  thankful  acknow- 
ledgements of  the  commillloners  care  they  had^ 
expreffed  for  the  peace  and  v^elfare  of  the  whole 
country,  and  faying,  "  we  reft  yours,  mofl  affec- 
tionately, defirous  of  your  honorable  welfare. 
John  San  ford,  C/tvi  of  Affembly.'** 

This  did  not  content  thofe  commillioners ;  btit 
they  wrote  again  the  next  fall,  to  which  governor 
Arnold,  and  his  court  rctarned  an  anfwer,  October 
13th,  which  has  been  publiilied.  *  And  the  con- 
tention growing  more  terrible  the  year  after,  the 
allembly  at  Warwick,  Kov.  5th,  1658,  appointed 
Mr.  OIney,  Mr.  Gortor:  and  Mr.  Crandal,  whojiad 
luffered  from  them  at  Bofton,  with  Mr.  Trip,  ta 
draw  a  letter  to  their  agent  in  England,  which 
is  as  follows  : 

"  Worthy  Sir,  and  tru/iy  friend,  Mr.  Clarke,  ' 

"  We  have  found,  not  only  your  ability  and  dil- 
iigencc,  but  alio  your  love  and  care  to  be  fuch  con- 
cerning the  welfare  and  profperity  of  this  colony, 
iince  you  have  been  intruded  with  the  more  pub- 
lic aft'airs  thereof,  furpafling  the  no  fmali  benefit 
which  we  had  of  your  prefence  here  at  home,  that- 
we  in  all  ftraits  and  incumbrances,  are  cmboldned 
to  repair  unto  you,  for  further  and  continued  care, 
counfel  and  help,  finding  that  your  folid  and  chril* 
tian  demeanor  hath  gotten  ro  finall  iatereft  in  tho 
S     s  heaxt* 

*  Majfachufetti  hi^ory,  vsl,  I.  page  52$.^  ^z^x 


314      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

hearts  of  our  fiiperiors,  thofc  noble  and  wortliy 
fcnators,  with  whom  you  had  to  do  in  our  behalf^ 
as  ic  hath  conftantly  appeared  in  our  iiddrefl'es  mad« 
unto  them,  we  have  by  good  and  comfortable 
proofs  found,  having  plentiful  experience  thereof. 
The  lall:  year  we  had  laden  you  with  much  em- 
ploymentjwhich  we  were  then  put  upon  by  reafon 
<.;f  fomc  too  refractory  among  ourfclves,  wherein 
we  appealed  unto  you  far  advice,  for  the  more 
public  manifeftation  of  it,  vi^ith  rcfpec"l  to  our  fu- 
periors  ;  but  our  intelligence  fell  ihort  in  that  great 
lofs  of  the  Hiip,  which  we  concluded  here  to  be  caft 
away.  We  have  now  a  new  occafion  given  us  by  an 
old  fpirit,  v*^ith  refpect  to  the  colonies  round  about 
us,  who  feem  to  be  offended  with  us  becaufc  a  fort 
of  people,  called  by  the  name  of  (fakers,  who  arQ 
come  amongft  us,  who  have  raifed  up  divers  whc? 
at  prefent  fccm  to  be  of  thtir  fpirit,  where- at  the 
colonies  about  U3  feem  to  be  offended  with  us,  be- 
ing the  faid  people  have  their  liberty  with  us,  arc 
entertained  in  our  houfes,  or  any  of  our  affem.blies ; 
and  for  the  prefent  we  have  found  no  juft  caufe  tQ 
charge  them  with  the  breach  of  the  civil  peace  ; 
only  they  arc  conftantly  going  forth  amongil  thena 
about  us,  and  vex  and  trouble  them  about  their 
religion  and  fpiritiial  ftatc,  though  they  return  witk 
many  a  foul  fear  in  their'bodies  for  th-*  fame.  * 
And  the  offence  our  neighbors  take  again  ft  us,  i? 
becaufc  we  take  not  fome  courfe  againft  the  faid 
people,  cither  to  expel  them  from  amongft  us,  or 
take  fucii  courfes  againft  thena  as  themlelves  do^ 

who 

'  *  Many  weri*  whipt,  fomc  were  bf-anded,  and  Holder,  Crpe- 
land  and  Roufe,  thicc  fingle  young  mem,  h  td  c..ch  his  righi  car 
<;ut  oif  in  the  prifon  at  Uofton,  the  lolh  of  September  iLis  JcajF* 
Grfve'f  cbri dement  of  Bijhop,  pa^c  64,  91,  9*. 


[1658]      ti?   NEW-ENGLAND.       315 

who  are  in  fear  leaft  their  religion  iliould  be  cor* 
fupted  by  them.     Concerning  which  difpleafare 
that  they  leeni  to  take,  it  was  expreiFed  to  us  in  a 
/"olemji  letter,  written  by  the  commiffioners  of  the 
united   colonies  at  their  fitting,  as  though  they 
would  either  bring  us  in  to  act  according  to  thdr 
fcantling,or  elfe  take  fome  courfe  to  do  us  a  greater 
difpleafure.       A   copy   of  which  letter   we  have 
herewith  fent  unto  you,  wherein  you  may  perceive 
iiov/  they  cxprefs  themfelves  ;   as  alfo  we  have 
lierewith  fent  our  prefent  anfwer  unto  them,  to 
give  you  what  light  we  may  in  the  matter.     There 
h  one  claufe  in  the  letter  which  plainly  implies  a 
threat,  though  courtly  exprelfed  as  their  manner 
is  ;*  which  we  gather  to  be  this,  that  themfelves  (as 
we  conftrue  it)  have  been  much  awed  in  point  of 
continued  fubjection  to  the  ftate  of  England,  left 
in  cafe  they  fhould  decline,  England  might  prohibit 
all  trade  with  them,  both  in  point  of  exportation 
and  importation  of  any  commodities,  which  were 
an  hoft  fulliciently  prevalent  to  fubdue  New-Eng- 
land, not  being  able  to  fubfift  :  even  fo  they  feein 
to  threaten  ns,  by  cutting  us  oft  from  all  commerce 
atid  trade  with  them,  and  thereby  to  difable  lu  of 
any  comfortable  fubiiftance,  being  that  the  con- 
vourfe  of  fliiping,  and  all  other  fores  of  commcdi- 
lies  are  univerfally  converfant  among  themfelves  ;, 
as  alfo  knowing  that  ourfeives  arc  not  in  a  capacity 
J-O  fend  out  fliiping  of  ourfeives,  which  in  great 
meafure  is  occalioned  by  their  oppreffing  of  us,  as 
yourfelf  well  knows  :'as  in  many  other  refpecls  f© 
'11  this  for  one,  that  we  cannot  have  any  thing  from 
them,  for  the  fupply  of  our  neceifities,*  but  in  eficch 
ihey  make  the  price,  both  of  our  commodities  and 
their  own.  Alfo,  becaufe  we  have  no  Englifli  coin, 
bat  (Mjly  that  which  palTeth  among  thefe  barbarians, 


J 


i6      HrSTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 


nnd  fach  commodities  as  arc  raifed  by  the  labor 
of  our  hands,  as  corn,  catdc,  tobacco,  &c.  to 
make  payment  in,  which  they  will  have  at  their 
own  rates,  or  elie  not  deal  with  us  )  whereby,  tho* 
they  gain  extraordinarily  by  us,  yet  for  the  fafc- 
giiard  of  their  religion,  they  may  feem  to  neglcft 
themfelves  in  that  refpecl  ;  for  Wbat  -will  not  men 
do  for  tfmrGodf  Sir,  this  is  our  earn  eft  andprciTmij 
jcqueft  unto  you  in  this  matter,  that  as  you  may 
perceive  by  our  anfwcr  unto  the  united  colonies, 
we  liy  as  our  refuge  in  all  civil  refpecls  to  his  highneft 
and  honorable  council,  as  not  being  fubjecl  to  any 
other  in  matters  of  our  civil  ftate,  fo  may  it  pkale 
you  to  have  an  eye  and  ear  open,  in  calc  our 
r*dverfaries  fuould  fpeak,  to  undermine  us  in  our 
privileges  granted  unto  us,  and  plead  our  caufe  ia 
liich  fort,  as  that  we  may  not  be  compelled  to  ex- 
crcifc  any  civil  power  over  nien's  confciences,  f» 
Jong  as  human  orders  in  point  of  civility  are  not 
corrupted  and  violated,  v^'hich  our  neighbors 
about  us  do  frequently  praclife,  whereof  many  of 
us  have  abfolute  experience,  andjudgeitto  be 
no  iefs  than  a  point  of  absolute  cruelty. 

John  Sanford,  ClerJ^  of  Jfflmbly.*^  * 

The 

*  As  Oliver  Cromwel  died  Sept.  3,  l^cS,  and  hl«  Ton  Richard 
V'3s  chofen  protector  .in  his  ftead,  their  allembly  of  May  17, 
1659,  fent  an  addrefs  to  b.im,  wherein  they  i''^y,  "  May  itpleaie 
your  higbnefs  to  know,  that  this  poor  colony  of  Providence 
plintaiions,  mcftly  confift*  of  a  birth  and  breeding  of  tlie  provi- 
dence of  the  Moft  High,  we  being  an  out  cnft  j-eople,  formerly 
from  our  mother  nation  in  ihc  bifiiops  days,  and  llnce  from  the 
Ncw-I'lnglilh  over-zealous  colonies  ;  otir  whole  frame  being  like 
'into  the  prcfent 'fr-^me  and  conftitution  of  our  de^rert  mothei- 
J'Lr;^land  ;  bearing  with  the  fever al  judgments  and  confciences 
enr.n  of  other  in  all  the  towns  of  our  colony,  which  our  neighbor 
colonies  do  not,  which  is  the  only  caufe  of  their  gre^t  otTcflce 
••>2^'.»iit  US- — Sir,  wc  dare  not  interrupt  your  bigh  iirairs  with 

the 


[16533       IN  NEW-ENGLAND.      517 

-  The  commiffioners  of  the  colonies  who  met  at 
BoitoQ,  September  3,  1658,  and  continued  their 
meeting  to  the  23d,  clofed  their  acls  with  fayingj 
"  Whereas  there  is  an  accurCed  and  pernicioi.o  fcc^ 
of  heretics,  lately  rifen  up  in  the  world,  who  are 
commonly  called  Quakers,  who  take  upon  therii 
to  be  irrv'ed^iately  lent  of  God,  and  infalUaOly 
aflilled,who  do  fpeak  and  write blaiphemous  things, 
difpifmg  government,  and  the  order  of  God  in 
church  and  common-wealth  ;  fpeaking  e\il  of 
dignities,  reproaching  and  reviling  magiftrateSj^ 
and  the  minifters  of  the  gofpel,  feeking  to  tarnr 
the  people  from  the  faith,  and  to  gain  profelytcs 
to  their  pernicious  ways  :  And  whereas  the  feveral 
jurifdiclions  have  made  divers  laws  to  prohibit 
their  coming  amongft  them  ;  [but  they  refuhng, 
to  obey  them,  and  ftill  making  difturbancej  it  is 
therefore  propounded,  and  ferioufly  commended 
to  the  feveral  general  courts — to  make  a  law,  that, 
all  Quakers  formerly  convicted  and  punifhed  as 
fuch,  iliall  (if  they  return  again)  be  imprifoned, 
and  forthwith  baniihed  or  expelled  out  of  the  faid 
jurifdiclion,  under  pain  of  death. '''^  Ali  the  eight 
commilTioners  figncd  this  advice,  only  the  governor 
of  Connecticut  iaid,  "  Looking  at  the  laft  as  a  query 
and  not  an  acl,  1  fubfcribe,  John  Winthrop."  * 
Such  a  law  was  made  at  Bodon  the  next  month, 
but  the  like  was  not  done  in  any  of  the  other  co- 
lonics.    At  Plymouth  they  had  prevailed  for  two 

}Tars 

tV.c  particulars  of  our  w'ila'err)er5  condition,  only  ht^  your  eye  of 
favor  to  be  c^ft  upon  ovr  faithful  -Jgent,  Mr.  John  Clarke,  and 
unto  what  humble  addrcfles  he  fb-ill  at  any  time  prcfcnt  your 
Highnefs  with  in  our  behalf."     Cclony  rctords. 

.  *  Records  fif.the  United  Colanies. The  Other  coir.miflioners 

were  Endioot  and  Bradftreet,  of  MafTachufetts  ;  IVince  and 
Winllon-,  of  Plymouth.  ;  Taliot,  of  Cor.ne£licut  ;  and  N<?'.v- 
nir:n  aivJ  Leet,  of  Nf:'.v-Havsii. 

/ 


jia      HISTORY  Of  tut  BAPTISTS 

years  paft,  with  the  majority  of  the  court,  to  Im* 
fjrifon,  fine  and  whip  the  Quakers,  and  to  fend 
fome  of  them  out  of  the  colony  ;  and  the  manner 
ijf  their  proceedings  take  as  follows  : 

Mr*  John  Brown,  who  had  long  been  one  of 
their  magiftrates,  and  often  a  commilTioner  for  his 
colony,  took  a  voyage  to  England  C  cf :.  James 
Cudworth  of  Scituate,  was  a  magiftrate  ihcle  two 
years  ;  and  near  the  beginning  of  this  year  he  en- 
tertained Copeland  and  Srcndjtwo  of  theQuakcis, 
at  his  houfe  a  night  or  two,  and  fays,  **  I  thougiit 
it  better  lo  to  do,  than  with  the  blind  world,  to 
Cenfure,  condemn  and  rail  at  them,  when  they  nei- 
ther faw  their  perfons,  nor  knew  any  of  their  prin- 
ciples ;  but  the  Quakers  and  myfelf  cannot  clofe  in 
divers  things ;  and  fo  I  Signified  to  the  court,  I  was 
no  Quaker,  but  mull  bear  my  teftimony  againft 
fundry  things  that  they  held,  as  I  had  occafion  and 
opportunity.  Jiut  witha!  1  told  them,  that  as  I 
was  no  Quaker,  fo  I  would  be  no  pcrfecutor.  I  his 
fpirit  worked  in  thofe  two  years  that  I  was  of  the 
magiftracy  ;  during  which  time,  I  was  on  fundry 
occafions  forced  to  declare  my  diflent,  in  fundry 
idlings  of  that  nature  ;  which  although  I  did  with 
all  moderation  of  expreffion,  together  with  reipect 
unto  the  reft,  yet  it  wrought  great  difaffecfion  and 
prejudice  againft  me. "'  A  pcrion  took  pains  to  go 
to  Marfhfield  to  procure  a  warrant  to  apprehend 
the  Qiiakers  he  had  entertained,  which  Mr. 
■Hatherly  undcrftanding  hid^Mv. t?ivy  bat b procured 
this  ;  and  in  litu  of  it.  gave  them  a  pals  under  his 
hand,  with  which  they  travelled  to  Plymouth  ;  but 
were  there  feized  and  whipt,  by  order  of  three 
other  magiftrates  And  fays.  Captain  Cudworthj 
**  Trul)  the  whipping  of  them  with  that  cruelty 
;as  fome  have  been,  and  their  patience  under  it,  hath 

ibmetime* 


[;i658]       iitNEV/ ENGLAND,       jtjf 

foraetimes  be^n  the  occafion  of  gaining  more  ad- 
herence to  them,  than  if  they  had  fuffered  thenj 
openly  to  have  preached  a  fermon.-r— The  Maffa- 
chiilctts,  after  they  have  whipped  them,  and  cut 
their  cars,  they  have  nov/  gone  the  fartheft  ftep 
they  can,  they  banilh  them  upon  pain  of  death,  it- 
ever  they  come  there  again.  We  expect  we  muft 
d)  the  Uke  ;  we  muft  dance  after  their  pipe  ;  nov/ 
Plymouth  fadJle  is  on  the  bay-horfe,  we  fhall  fol- 
low them  on  the  career. — r-r-All  thefe  carnal  and 
antichriftian  ways  being  not  of  God's  appointment, 
etFcct  nothing  as  to  hindering  of  them  in  their  way 
or  courfe.  It  is  only  the  word  and  fpirit  of  the 
Lord,  that  is  able  to  convince  gainfayers.  They 
.  are  the  mighty  weapons  of  the  chriftian  warfare, 
by  which  great  and  mighty  things  are  done  anc} 

accompliflied. ^Our  civil  powers  are  fo  exercif- 

ed  in  things  appertaining  to  the  kingdom  of  Chrift, 
in  matters  of  religion  and  confcience,  that  we  can 
have  no  time  to  effect  any  thing  that  tends  to  the 
promotion  of  the,  civil  weal,  or  profperity  of  the 
place;  but  now  we  muft  have  ijiate-religion,  fuch 
as  the  powers  of  the  world  will  allow,  and  no  other; 
^Jiate-minijiry^  and  Tijiate-way  of  mahitehmnce  ;  and 
we  muft  worfliip  and  fervp  the  Lord  Jefus,  as  the 
world  fhall  appoint  us.  We  muft  all  go  to  the  pub- 
lic place  of  meeting,  in  the  parifh  where  we  dwell, 
or  be  prefented.  1  am  informed  of  three  or  four- 
fcore  laft  court,  prefented  for  not  coming  to  pubiiq 
meetings  ;  and  let  me  t^ll  you  how  they  brought 
this  about.  You  may  remember  a  law  once  made, 
called  Thomas  Hinckley's  law.  That  if  any  negk^id 
the  ivorjhip  of  God^  in  th^  place  where  he  liv^s,  and 
Jet  up  a  warjhip  contrary  to  God,  and  the  alloivance  of 
this  government,  to  the  public  prophanatjon  of  God's 
hol^  day  and  ordinance^  Jhall  pcrj  ten  Jhillings.     'I'his. 


p^     HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

law  would  not  reach  what  then  was  aimed  at ;  be- 
caufc  he  mull  do  fo  and  to  ;  that  is,  all  things  there- 
in expreilod,  or  che  break  not  che  law.  In  March 
feft,  a  court  of  dc-puties  was  called,  and  fomc  ads 
touching  Quakers  were  made  ;  and  then  they  con- 
trived to  make  this  law  ferviceable  to  them  ;  and 
that  was  by  putting  out  the  word  and,  and  put- 
ting in  die  word  «>r,  which  is  a  disjunctive,  and 
makes  every  branch  become  a  law.  So  now,  if 
any  neglect,  or  will  not  come  to  the  public  meet- 
ings, ten  fhillings  for  every  defect. —And  thefe 

TLX'^sn  altering  this  law  lall  March,  yet  left  it  dated, 
June  6th,  1651,  [See  page  2143  and  ih  it  ftands  as 
the  act  of  a  general  court ;  they  to  be  the  authors 
ei'  it  feven  years  before  it  v/as  in  being  ;  and  fo 
yourfelves  have  your  part  and  fliare  in  it,  if  the 
records  lie  not.  But  what  may  be  the  rcafon  that 
they  fliould  not  by  another  law,  made  and  dated 
by  that  courts  as  well  effed  what  was  intended,  as 
hy  altering  a  word,  and  io  the  whole  [ciiie  of  the 
taw  ;  and  leave  this  their  act,  by  the  date  of  it, 
charged  on  another  courts  account  ?  Surely,  the 
chief  initruments  in  the  bulinefs,  being  privy  to  aa 
act  of  parliament/^/-  liberty,  fliould  too  openly  have 
acted  repugnant  to  a  law  of  England  j  but  if  they 
can  do  the  thing,  and  leave  it  on  a  court,  as  mak- 
ing it  iix  years  before  the  acft  of  parliament,  there 

can  be  no  danger  in  this. -If  we  can  but  keep 

the  people  ignorant  of  their  liberties  and  privileges, 
then  v/e  have   liberty   to   act   in  our  own  wills 

what  we  pleafe. Through  mercy  we  have  yet 

among  us  wortliy  Mr.  Dun  star,  whom  the  tord 
hath  made  boldly  to  bear  tcftimony  againfl  the 
Jfirit  of  perfeciition,'"  *  For 

*   Thc(e  things  Capt.  Cudworth  wrote  to  Mr.  Brown,  then  la 
Englaad/who  let  biihop  publilh  them,  page  1(3^ — 176.    Mor- 

tCB, 


[1658]      IN  NEW-ENGLAND.       y.i 

For  the  above  things  thofc  two  magiftratesj 
Hathcrly  and  Cadwoi  th  were  left  out  or  ail  their 
oiHces,  in  June,  this  year.  At  the  fame  time  it  13 
meet  that  pollcrity  fliould  knov/  how  thofe  CHia- 
kcrs  behaved  under  their  fuffei  ings.  Humphery 
Norton,  one  of  their  teachers  and  authors,  was  lent 
out  of  Plynumth  colony  in  1657,  for  being  an  cx- 
travagant perfon  ;  which  charge,  fays  Biihop,  could 
not  be  proved.  On  election  day  June  ift,  1058,  hq 
and  John  Roufc  came  again  to  Plymouth,  and  were 
taken  up  and  whipt,  ISiorton  twenty-three  lafhes,' 
and  Roufe  fifteen,  which  Bifhop  fays,  **  1  hey  re- 
ceived for  no  other  thing  but  for  coming  into  that 
colony  in  *the  luill  of  God.**  *  Though  the  records 
inform  us,  that  when  they  were  brought  before 
the  aflembly  June  3d,  Norton  "  faid  unto  the  go-*, 
vernor  fundry  times,  Tbou  I'leji  !  and  faid  unto  him, 
Thomas,  thou  art  a  7naHcioi(s  man.  Sec.  And  that  for 
thefe  things,  and  for  refufing  the  oath  of  allegiance 
to  any  civil  government,  they  were  then  whipt, 
and  for  officers  fees  were  impiifoned  till  the  tenth, 
■when  they  were  releafed,  and  went  to  Rhode-Ifland, 
where  on  the  i6th,  Norton  wrote  a  letter  to  Mr, 
Alden,  one  of  their  magilrrates,  and  another  to  the 
governor,  with  an  anfwer  to  Chriftopher  Winter's 
depohtion  agaiiift  them,  all  whicli  the  court  or-^ 
dered  to  be  recorded.  The  beginning  and  en4 
of  that  to  the  governor,  I  took  from  thence  with 
my  own  haijd,  which  is  in  the  wprds  and  letter* 
following  : 

T    t  Thomas 

ton,  fays  Mr.  Dunftar,  "  was  ufeful  and  helping  in  defending  th^ 
truth  againll  Q^aakers  ;  and  that  he  fell  alkep  in  the  Lord,  iu 
16^9."  After  Mr.  Brown  returned  from  England,  he  aod  Cudr 
worth  were  called  to  account  for  this  letter,  but  were  not  punifiir 
fd.  Cud  worth  was  reftored  to  the  magiftracy  in  1674,  auij  d'i-^i 
l.hsif  deputy  governor,  in  16S1.  Piyvrjtttli  records. 
*  Ik f'^-EaglanU  judged,  page  X63— 17^, 


322      HISTOUY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

"  Thomas  Prince,  thow  who  haft  bent  thy 
hart  to  worke  wickednes,  and  with  thy  tongue 
haft  thou  fet  forth  deceite  ;  thou  imagineft  mif- 
chicf  upon  thy  bed,  and  hatchcft  thy  hatred  in  thy 
cecrett  chamber  j  the  ftrength  of  darknes  is  over 
thee,  and  a  mallicloufe  mouth  iiaft  thow  opened 
againft  God  and  his  anointed,  and  with  thy  tongue 
and  lipps  haft  thow  uttered  perverfe  things  ;  thow 
haft  llaundered  the  innocent  by  raih'ng,  lying  and 
falfe  accufations,  and  with  thy  barboroule  hart 
haft  thow  caufed  theire  bloud  to  bee  flied.  Thow 
haft  through  all  thefe  things  broke  and  tranfgrcied 
the  laws  and  waies  of  God,  and  equitie  is  not  be- 
fore thy  eyes.  The  curfe  caufles  cannot  come 
upon  thee,  nor  the  vengance  of  God  unjuftly  can- 
not fetch  thee  up  ;  thow  makeft  thylelf  merry 
with  thy  cecrett  mallice. — The  day  of  thy  wailing 
will  bee  like  unto  that  of  a  woman  that  muithers 
tlie  fruite  of  her  wombe  ;  the  anguifh  and  painc 
that  will  enter  upon  thy  reignes  will  be  like  knaw- 
ing  worms  lodging  betwixt  thy  hart  and  liver  : 
When  thefe  t.iings  come  upon  thee,  and  thy  backe 
bowed  downe  with  pain,  in  that  day  and  houre 
thow  flialt  know  to  thy  griefe,  that  prophetts  of 
the  Lord  God  wee  are,  and  the  Go  dot  vengance 
is  our  God.  Humphery  Norton. 

"  I  HAVi'.  fent  thee  heer  inclofed  a  reply  to  C. 
Winter's  depolition,  alfoe  I  have  fent  already  a  true 
relationofparteof  thy  proceedings  towards  London, 
with  a  coppy  of  the  fines  laid  on,  and  levied  of  the 
people  of  God,  with  a  coppy  of  thy  late  laws. 

Superfcribed,  For  the  goverjier  of  Flymouth  patient^ 
this  ivHb  care  and  fpeedy 

After  this  prophecy  ^Ir.  Prince  continued  go- 
vernor of  that  colony  near  fourteen  years,  and  then 
died  ia  peace  (for  ought  we  know.)    His  fon  was 

SI 


fi659]      IN  NEW-ENGLAND.      325 

a  jullice  of  peace  in  his  day,  and  his  giandfon  was 
a  learned  and  pious  minifter  at  Bofton,  whole  writ- 
ings   have    furnifhed    many    valuable    materials 
for  our  hillory.     It  ought  alfo  to  be  known,  that 
in  reading  the  works  of  wifdom  and  knowledge^  and  esi- 
alting  that  which  is  low — theQuakers  meant  to  have 
civil  as  well  as  eccieliaftical  government  managed 
by  the  above  defcribed  power.     For  in  thofe  times 
George  Fox  pubiilhed  a  large  book  in  folio,  in  the 
i7och  page  of  which  he  faid,  "  The  magiftrate 
of  Chrift,  the  help  government  for  him,  he  is  in  the 
light  and  power  of  Chrijl ;  and  he  is  to  fubjed  all  UU" 
der  the  power  of  Chrijl^  into  his  light,  eife  he  is  not  a 
faithful  magiftrate  :  and  his  laws  here  are  not  agre- 
able,  and  anfwerable  according  to  that  of  God  in 
every  man  ;  when  men  ad:  contrary  to  it,  tliey  do 
evil :  fo  he  is  a  terror  to  evil-doers,  difcerneth  the 
precious  and  the  juft  from  the  vile  ;  and  this  is  a 
praife  to  them  that  do  well."     And  when  Mr.  Wil- 
liams mentioned  thi^  paffage,  as  one  proof,  that 
their  fpirit  tended  to  arbitrary  government,  and 
fiery  perfecution,  they  faid  upon  it,  "Is  there  one 
word  of  perfecution  here  ?  Or  can  Roger  Williams 
tliink  himfelf  a  chriftian,  and  look  upon  it  to  be 
perfecution,  for  Chrift's  magiftrates  by  Chrift's  light 
and  power,  tofubjed  all  under  the  power  of  Chrift, 
and  to  bring  all  into  this  light  of  Chrift  !  Or  can 
he  think  fuch  an  one  an  unfaithful  magiftrate  ?  Or 
are  thofe  laws,and  the  execution  of  them  perfecu- 
tion,that  aie  agreable  and  anfwerable  to  that  of  God 
in  every   man  f   Thefe  are  George  Fox's  wordsw 
Such  magiftrates,  fuch  laws,  fuch  power,  and  light, 
and  fubjeStion,  is  G.  F.  for,  and  no  other."  *" 
This  opens  the  plain  caufe  why  they  militated  f© 

hard 
*^'illiaais,  page  207.    Fox's  aafwcr,  page  229,  230. 


$24      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

hard  againft  other  magiftrates  and  government,  as 
in  the  lame»table  inftances  following  : 

Our  Lord  dircclcd  his  dilciples  to  depart  from 
any  houl'e  or  city,  that  they  ihould  travel  into, 
^vhen  they  refulcd  to  leceive  them  ;  and  when 
•the  Gadarcnes  bcfovigJit  him  to  depart  out  of 
their  coafts,  he  did  io  ;  and  we  have  no  account 
cf  his  forceing  him/eJF  upon  them  agliin  ;  but 
the  Quakers  took  another  courfe.  Three  of 
them  v/ho  were  baniihcd,  on  pain  of  death,  yet 
returned  again  to  Bolton,  and  were  condemntd  to 
die;  and  Wilham  Kobinlon  gave  in  a  paper  to  the 
court,  which  contains  the  following  reaion  for  liis 
conduct  therein,  viz.  ''On  the  8th  day  of  the  8th 
month,  1659^  in  tlie  after  part  of  the  day.  in  tra- 
velling betwixt  Newport  in  Rhode-Iiland,  and 
Daniel  Gould's  houfe,  witli  rny  dear  brotlier  Chrif- 
topher  Holder,  the  "^'ord  of  the  Lord  came  cxprefs- 
Jy  to  me,  which  did  fill  me  immediately  with  hfe 
Rnd  power,,  and  heavenly  love,  by  which  he  con- 
Icrained  nic,  and  commanded  me  to  pafs  to  the 
town  of  Boilon,  my  life  to  lay  down  in  his  will, 
for  the  accomplillxing  of  his  fervice,  tlijt  lie  had 
there  to  perform  at  the  day  appointed.  To  which 
heavenly  voice  I  prefently  yielded  obedience,  not 
queflioning  the  Lord  how  he  would  bring  the  thing 
to  pa'-rt.— For  the  Lord  had  faid  unto  me,  My  foul 
fball  reji  in  ever Lijlnig  fence ^  and  my  life  foa It  enter 
into  reji^  for  being  onEDiENT  to  the  God  of  my 
iif^-'*''  MarmadukeStevenfon,  gavein  another  pa- 
per,  informing  the  court,  how  he  heard  a  z-oice  as 
he  w'as  plowing  in  Yoikfliire,  faying,  /  heve  trdaiii" 
td  thee  a  prophet  unto  the  v.ations  ;  and  after  he  came 
to  Rhodedfland,  he  fliys,  "  Tlie  word  of  the  Lord 
camt'  un'jo  me  faying.  Go  ^to  Lofton,  with  thy 
brother ^i^Viiiiain  Robinfon'— — This  is  given  forth 

to 


[t659]       IN  NEW-ENGLAND.       325 

to  be  upon  record,  that  all  people  may  know,  who 
licar  it,  that  we  came  not  in  our  cwn  ivllly  but  in  the 
will  of  God.*''  *  This  was  their  way  of  following 
what  they  called  the  light ;  and  the  cleareft  account 
of  what  they  meant  thereby,  that  I  have  feen,  is 
contained  in  the  following  fentences  directed  to 
Mr.   Williams,  viz. 

*'  Thou  wronged  the  Quakers  in  faying,  they 
confefs  their  light  to  be  confciencc  :  In  this  thou 
perverteft  their  words,  and  thou  wouldefl;  have  it 
lb  ;  for  George  Fox's  words  are,  The  light  ivhich 
you  call  confcience,  ivhich  is  the  light  of  Chrili,  as  you 

may  fee  all  along  in  his  book. Thou  haft  read 

our  books  with  an  evil  eve,  or  elfe  thou  miGcht- 
eft  fee  how  often  we  mention,  that  Chrift  hath 
bought  us  with  a  price,  which  is  his  blood  ;  and 
how  that  ail  died  in  Adam,  and  how  that  Chrift 
died  for  aJl,  that  they  that  live,  might  live  to 
him  ;  and  that  all  might  beheve  in  him,  who  died 
for  thera  ;  and  if  they  do  not,  they  are  condem:ed 

•with  the  light ^  ivhich  they Jljould  believe  in. Chrift 

Ughteth  every  man  that  copieth  into  the  worlds  f  with 
life  in  him^  the  luord^  and  faith,  He  is  the  light  of  the 
world,  and  faith.  Believe  ii  the  light ^  that  ye  7nay  be- 
come children  of  light,  and  he  that  believeth  is  faved^ 
and'  he  that  doth  not  is  condemned.  And  the  con- 
demnation is  the  light  that  is  come  into  the  world  ; 
whicli  light.,  is  faving  to  them  that  believe  in  it,  and 
condemning  to  them,  that  do  not  believe  in  it,  but  hate 
itjwhofe  deeds  be  evil,  John  3."]:  In  :\\\  wliich  there 
is  a  manifeft  confounding  of  grace  and  works,  law 
and  gofpel,  which  the  infpired  writers  took  gi'eat 
pains  to  keep  diftincf.     And  fince  Chrift  himfelf 

fays, 

•f-    vviiltams,  fays  he,  believes  tax,  in  his  book  in^folio,  rt- 
peats  thefc  words  nenr  or  quite  a  thovifand  time^.     Pafe  i85. 
I  i'"9x  againft  Williams,  fecond  part.    Page  4— 6-— lo. 


3i6      HISTORY  of  the  BAPTISTS 

fiiys,  "  God  fcnt  not  his  Son  into  the  world  to 
condemn  the  world  \  but  that  the  world  through 
HTM  might  be  faved.  Think  not  that  I  will  auufe 
you  to  the  Father  ;  there  is  one  tliat  accufetb  you, 
even  Mofes,  in  whom  ye  trust."  John  3.  17. 
and  5.  45  J  was  not  the  zeal  of  thefe  men  like  that 
we  read  of  in  Rom.  i  o.  2 — 4  ?  Did  they  not  troft 
in  the  law  inftead  of  the  gofpel  ?  As  to  the  per/on  of 
the  Saviour,  Mr.  Williams  fays,  "  Fox  in  all  his 
book  cannot  endure  to  henr  of  the  word  human,  as 
being  a  new  name,  and  never  heard  of  in  fcrip- 
ture,  1  faid  in  public,  many  words  truly  and  pro- 
perly Englifh,  are  com.mendab^y  ufed  that  are  not 
in  fcripture,  in  Englifli.  The  w  ord  human  comes 
from  the  Latin  humanus,  lignifying  pertaining,  or 
belonging  to  man  :  So  a  human  foul  or  body  is 
fuch  as  all  m.ankind  have.  Hence  1  told  them,  that 
the  word  anthropinos  peiraf?ms,  i  Cpr.  10.  might 
have  been  turned  human,  but  is  truly  turned,  no 
temptation  but  fuch  as  is  common  to  man.  G.  Fox 
knows,  that  if  Chriftjefus  be  granted  to  have  had 
fuch  a  foul  and  body  as  is  himian,  or  common  to 
man,  down  falls  their  monftrous  idol  of  a  Chrift, 
called  light  within."  To  v^'hich  Fox  anfwers,  "  For 
thee  and  the  pricfts  to  give  fuch  names  to  Chrift, 
our  Lord  and  Saviour,  which  the  fcriptures  do  noc 
give,  and  yet  fay  the  fcriptures  are  the  rule,  that  is 
abominable.  And  there  is  no  fuch  v/ord  in  i  Cor. 
10.  that  callcth  Chrift*s  body  and  foul  human  ;  and 
whether  isChrift*s  body  celellial  or  terreftial,or  which 
glory  doth  he  bear? — i  Cor.  15.1 4. G.F. doth  grant, 
^nd  all  the  Quakers,  that  Chrift  was  made  like  unto, 
usj  fin  excepted,  and  had  a  body  and  loul,  or  elfe  how 
could  he  fuffer  ?  And  is  rifen,  ik^fame  that  dscenat' 
(J  is  afcended,  as  the  apoftle  faith."  *     And  I  have 

fcca 

*  Willlasos,  page  5 1,    Fox,  psge  45, 


[1659]      IN    NEW-EN  GLAND.      327 

feen  other  of  their  writings  which  hold  exprefsly, 
that  Chrift  brought  the  fame  body  from  heaven, 
that  he  carried  thither  again.  But  they  reckoned  it 
abominabk  for  Mr.  WilHams  to  ufe  a  word  con- 
cerning our  Saviour's  humanity,  that  is,  not  in  our 
tranflation,  while  he  at  the  fame  time  approved  of 
the  reading  as  it  is  ;  yet  when  Hebrews  i.  3.  was 
brought  in  thofe  times  to  prove  the  perfenallity  of 
the  Trinity,  the  Quakers  faid,  "  That  isfafly  tranf- 
latedy  for  in  the  Greek  it  is  not  perfon  but  fub* 
Jiance."**  *  And  faid  Mr.  Samuel  Hubbard,  "  They 
turn  the  holy  fcriptures  into  allegories,  all  unlefs, 
fome  which  they  wreft  to  their  own  deftrudion,as 
the  apoftle  Peter  faith  ?" 

They  exprefsly  held  to  a  power  of  direction  with- 
in them,  fuperior  to  the  fcriptures,  which  carried 
them  into  ,':<5lions  that  light  from  thence,  or  from 
reafon  could  not  juftify ;  and  their  only  way,  was  to 
appeal  to  an  inward  motion  or  voice.  As  for  inftance, 
George  Bifliop  fpeaks  of  Deborah  Wilfon,  as  a 
*'  modeft  woman,  of  retired  life,  and  fober  con- 
verfation  ;  and  that  bearing  a  great  burthen  for 
the  hardnefs  and  cruelty  of  the  people,  fhe  went 
through  the  town  of  Salem  naked,  as  a7^«,  which 
Ihe  having  in  part  porformed,  was  laid  hold  of,  and 
bound  over  to  appear  a't  the  next  court  of  Salem, 
where  the  wicked  rulers  fentenced  her  to  be  whipt.** 
Lydia  Wardwel,  a  married  woman  of  Hampton, 
went  in  the  fame  manner  into  the  meeting-houfe 
in  Newbury,  in  time  of  public  worihip  ;  for  which 
fhe  met  with  the  like  treatment.  Mr.  Williams 
rcfered  theQuakersto  thefe  inftancesthat  their  own 
author  had  publifhed  ;  and  told  them  they  never 
could  perfuade  fouls  not  bewitched,  that  the  holy 
ipirit  would  move  them  to  do  fo  :  to  which   they 

anfwer 
*  Bifhop,  page  362, 


3^8      HISTORY  of  the  BAPTISTS 

anfwer  thus.  ""We  do  believe  thee,  in  that  dark, 
periecuting,  bloody  fpi>  it,  that  thou  and  the  New- 
En '^1  and  pricils  aie  ic\vitcbed  in,  you  cannot  be- 
lieve that  you  are  n.ked  from  God  and  his  cloth- 
ing, an^5  blind  :  and  therefore  hath  the  Lord  in 
hh  power  moiled  fome  of  his  fons  and  daughters  to 
go  naked  ;  yea,  and  they  did  tell  them  in  Oliv£R*s 
days,  and  the  long  parliaments,  that  God  would 
ilrip  thcni  of  their  church-profefTiou,  and  of  their 
power,  as  naked  as  they  were.  And  fo  they  were 
trtle  prophets  and  prophcteffes  to  the  nation,  as 
many  lober  men  have  confefi'cd  hnce  ;  thoiigh  tliou 
and  the  old  perfecuting  priefts  in  New-England  re- 
main in  your  blindnel's  and  nakednefs. — As  thou 
didft  in  the  difputc,  fo  now,  thou  makeft  ^ 
great  ado  with  our  men  and  woman  going  naked  : 
we  told  them  then,  we  owned  no  fuch  pradice  in 
any,  unlefs  they  were  called  unto  it  by  the  Lord. — 
li^e  begineth  again  to  upbraid  us  with  our  men  and 
women's  going  naked,  as  if  it  were  a  thing  com- 
monly allowed  among  us  in  //^t/V  w/V/j,  without  the 
motion  of  God^'*  * 

As  an  impartial  hiftorian  I  thought  it  duty  thus 
to  ftate  t^ele  plain  faces  and  fentimcnts  on  both 
£de^<^  for  upon  Dr.  Mather's  faying,  y6'//ic'g<j6  J  i\i^;z 
formerly  took  that  luron^  zvay  of  reclaiming  here- 
tics by  perficution  ;  the  Quakers  fpcnt  fcventeen 
pages  in  the  moft  ftrikiag  rccical  of  what  they  fuf- 
Icred  in  thofe  times  that  their  art  \v(^uld  admit  of, 
in  order  to  prove,  that  nogoodmancou.\d  be  anaclor 
therein.  And  to  fix  this  prejudice  more  laftingly  in 
the  minds  of  all,  they  turned  it  into  verfe,  faying, 

"  Thofe  that  in  confcience  cannot  wrong  a  worm. 
Are  fiu'd  and  whip'd,  bccaufe  they  can't  conform  j 
hvA  time  hath  been,  which  ne'er  fiiall  be  forgot,  • 

God'i 
*  Fox,  page  69— »28— 32, 


[1659]      IN   NEW-ENGLAND.       329 

God's  fcrvants  have  been  hanged  none  knows  for 
Except  for  ferving  of  tlieir  blcffed  Lord,      [_what ; 
For  quaking  and  for  trembling  at  his  word. 
Let  thefe  black  days,  like  the  fifth  of  November, 
Be  writ  in  red,  for  ages  to  remember/*  * 

And  they  are  remembered  in  fuch  armanner  to 
this  day,  that  a  perfon  can  hardly  plead  for  equal 
liberty  of  confcience  among  the  Maflachufctts,  with- 
out  having  the  diibrders  of  Rhode- ifland  colony- 
brought  up  againft  it  ;  nor  for  the  good  doctrine, 
and  family  orders  of  thofe  fathers,  among  fome  in 
the  latter  colony,  without  having  hot  irons  and 
halters  thrown  in  his  teeth  !  Not  only  fo,  but  we 
have  lately  feen  artful  men  trying  to  prevent  our 
union  in  the  caufe  of  our  civil  liberties  by  thefe 
means.  But  from  the  above  facls  the  reader  may- 
judge,  whether  an  invalion  of  each  others  rights, 
under  the  name  of  ;eligion..  was  not  the  real  caufe 
of  thofe  dreadful  broii^  ;  which  a  true  acknowledg- 
ment thereof,  both  as  to  property  and  confcience, 
would  have  prevented.  Whether  the  grand  error 
on  both  fides,  was  not  the  afTinning  a  power  to  go- 
vern religion,  inlfead  of  being  governed  by  it  ? 

On  October  20th,  P«.obinion,  Stevcnfon  and  Ma- 
ry Dyre,  received  thefentence  of  death,  which  was 
executed  upon  the  two  men,  the  27th  :  the  wo- 
man was, brought  with  them  to  the  gallows,  but 
at  the  interceflioh  of  her  fon  of  Newport  and  others^ 
file  was  then  reprieved,  and  fent  away.  Though 
returning  again  the  next  fpring,  flie  .was  hanged > 
June  ift,  1660  ;  twelve  days  after  the  court  of  Ply- 
mouth repfaled  one  or  more  of  the  fharpefl  law's 
they  had  made  againft  that  people.  Charles  Uie 
fecond  had  been  reflored  to  the  crov/n  of  Jtiigl-id, 
•n  May  29,  which  Plymouth  cou'd  have  no  k'.t  w« 

U     u  leer., 

*  Magaaliaj  book  7.  p.  22.    Whiting's  anfwer,,  p.  11—29. 


:^:^o      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

ledge  of  then.  After  the  news  of  it  arrived,  go- 
vernor Endicot  and  his  court  wrote  to  him,  Dec. 
loth,  when  tliey  laid,  "  Our  liberty  to  walk  in  the 
f;uth  of  the  gospel,  witli  all  good  cotifcience,  wa.s  the 
caufe  of  our  tranfporting  ourfclvcs,  with  our 
wives,  iittjip  ones,  and  our  fubftance,  from  that 
pleafant  land  over  the  atlantic  ocean,  into  this  vail 
\rildernefs,  choofmg  rather  the  pure  fcripture  wor- 
fhip  with  a  good  confcience,  in  this  remote  M'ilder- 
nefs  among  the  heathen,  than  the  pleafures  of  Eng- 
land with  TlibmilTion  to  the  then  fo  difpoTcd  and 
io  far  prevailing  hierarchy,  which  we  could  not  do 

Vv'ithout   an  evil  confcience. Concerning  the 

Ouakers,  open  and  capital  blafphcmers,  open  fedu- 
ccrs  from  the  glorious  Trinicy,  our  Lord  Jefus 
Chrift,  the  bleifed  gofpel,  and  from  the  holy  fcrip- 
ture as  the  rule  of  life,  open  enemies  to  the  govern^ 
meat  itfelf  as  eilabliffied  in  the  hands  of  any  but 
iiien  of  their  own  principles. — "  I'he  magiftrate  at 

,  l.aft,  in  confcience  both  to  God  and  man,  judged 
liimfelf  called  for  the  defence  of  all,  to  keep  the 
pallage  with  the,  point  of  the  fv\'ord  held  towards 
tlicm  ;  tliis  could  do  no  harm  to  him  that  would 
be  warned  thereby,  their  wittingly  rufhing  them- 
I'ch-es  thereupon  was  their  own  acl,  we  with  hu- 
mility conceive  a  crime  bringing  their  blood  upon 
their  own  head."  * 

In  like  manner  they  proceeded  and  hanged  Wil- 
liam Leddra,  March  14th,  1661  ;  but  their  friends 
in  h'.ngland  procured  an  exprefs  from  White-Hall, 
of  Sept.  9th,  v/hich  was  brought  over  by  Samuel 
Shattock,  of  Salem,  requiring  thefe  rij^Jers  to  for- 
bare  fuch  things  for  the  future^  and  to  fend  fuch 

^  Quakers  as  appeared  to  them  fo  obnoxious,  over 
to'^be  tried  in  England.     Soon  after  the  receipt  of 

which 
!»  Hubbafd—Maffachufetts  liiftory.  vol,  3.  p.  326,  3x7. 


Ci66i]       IN  NEW-ENGLAND.       33P, 

which  Mr. Norton  andMr.Bradftreet,\vcre  fcnt  ovec 
as  ao-ents,  by  whom  governor  Endicot  and  his  court 
wrote  to  theEarl  of  Manchefter, "  to  bei'eech  his  ma- 
jefty  to  tender  them  in  relpccl  oflhofe  peftclcnt  he- 
retics the  Quakers,who  have  lately  obtained  his  ma- 
jefty's  letter,  requiring  us  to  forbare  their  punifli- 
ments  ;  in  obfervance  whereof  we  have  fulpended 
execution  of  our  laws  againft  them,refpecling  death 
or  corporal  punifliments  ;  but  this  indulgance  they 
abufe  to  infoiency  and  fedudion  of  our  people,  and 
unlefs  his  majefty  flrengthen  our  hands  in  the  ap- 
plication of  ibme  fuitable  remedy  to  i'upprefs  thefe 
and  others,  ill  affected  to  our  tranquility,  this  hope- 
ful plantation  is  likely  in  all  probability  to  be  de- 
flroyed.'*  They  had  before  faid,that  allowing  lucli 
to  have  liberty  here,  would  be  "  fo  contrary  to  our 
confciences  to  permit,  and  no  Icfs  oppreflion  of  us 
than  the  deftroyingboth  us  and  ours  by  thefword."* 
How  juftly  then  did  Mr.  Williams  call  the  ufe  of 
force  in  ftich  affairs.  The  bloody  tenet  ! 

We  will  now  return  to  the  affairs  of  baptifm  : 
Mr.  Hubbard  upon  the  year  1656,  fays,  ''  Baptifra 
unto  this  time  had  been  adminiftred  unto  thofe 
children  only,  whofe  immediate  parents  were  admit- 
ted into  full  communion  in  the  churches  where  they 
lived  :  but  now  the  coyntry  came  to  be  increafed, 
and  fundry  families  were  found,  that  had  children 
born  in  them,  whofe  immediate  parents  liad  never 
attempted  to  join  to  any  of  the  churches  to  which 
they  belonged,  and  yet  were  very  much  unfatisfied 
that  they  could  not  obtain  baptifm  for  their  children ; 
the  caufe  occafioned  many  debates  between  the 
minifters  of  the  country."  Connedicut  took  the 
lead  therein,  and  fcnt  a  draught  of  qucffions  about: 

it 

5  lidid.  page  331— 36€,  . 


332      HISTORY  of  the  BAPTISTS 

it  to  the  rulers  of  the  MaiTachufetts,  requefting 
th.it  the  abitd  minitters  ot  both  colonies  might  be 
called  together,  to  anlwcr  the  lame.  Such  an  af- 
fembly  was  therefore  called  by  authority  at  Bollon, 
Juae  4th,  1657,  and  fat  til)  the  19th.  Their  an- 
fwers  to  21  queftions  were  afterwards  print- 
ed in  London,  under  the  title  of  A  difpidation  con- 
cerning church  meml'en,  and  their  children-  Therein 
they  concluded,  that  the  children  of  profcfling  pa- 
rents, '*  are  by  means  of  their  parents  covenant- 
ing, in  covenant  aifo,  and  n; embers  of  the  church  by 
divine  inllitution.  i.  Becaufe  they  are  in  that  co- 
venant for  fubitance  which  was  made  with  Abra- 
ha.n.  Gen,  17.  7.  compaied  with  Deut.  29.  12.  &:c. 
1.  Becaufe  fuch  children  are,  by  Chrift  affirmed  to 
have  a  place  and  portion  in  the  kingdom  of  hea- 
ven. 3.  Klfe  no  children  could  be  baptized,  bap- 
tiUn  baling  a  church  ordinance,  and  a  leal  of  the 
covenant  of  j^race.'  And  alfo,  that  "  it  is  the  du- 
ty  of  infants, who  confederate  in  their  parents,  when 
grown. up  to  years  of  difcretion,  though  net  yet  Jit 
for  the  Lord\ [upper ^  to  own  the  covenant  they  made 
with  their  parents,  by  entering  thereinto  in  their 
own  perfons  ;  and  it  is  the  duty  of  tlie  church  to 
call  upon  them  for  the  performance  thereof ;  and 
if,  being  called  upon,  they  Ihall  refufe  the  perfor- 
mance of  this  great  duty,  or  otherwife  continue 
fcandalous,  they  are  liable  to  be  cenfured  for  the 
fame  by  the  church.  And  in  cafe  they  underftand 
the  grounds  of  religion,  are  not  fcandalous,  and 
ioleninly  own  the  covenant  in  (heir  own  perfons, 
wherein  they  give  up  both  themfelves  and"  their 
children  unto  the  Lord,  and  delirc  baptifm  for 
them,  we  (with  due  reverence  to  any  godly  learn- 
ed tliat  may  diffent)  fee  not  fufficient  caufe  to  de- 
ny baptifm  unto  their  children." 

As 


[i662]       IN  NEW. ENGLAND.  "    333 

"  As  this  difputation  had  its  firft  rife  in  Con- 
necticut, fo  was  there  much  difference  and  con- 
tention raifed  at  Hartford,  between  Mr.  Samuel 
Stone,  their  teacher,  and  the  reft  of  the  church, 
occafioned  at  the  firft  on  fome  fuch  account ;  inlb- 
much  that  fundry  members  of  that  church,  having 
rent  themfelves  off,  removed  to  another  place 
higher  up  the  river,  where  they  fettled,  and  ga- 
thered a  diftind  church  in  that  way  of  Schifm,  as 
the  reft  of  the  churches  accounted.  This  unhap- 
py difference  over  fpread  the  whole  colony  of  Con- 
necticut, with  fuch  a  monftrous  enchantment  upon 
the  minds  of  chriftian  brethren  that  in  all  the  towns 
round  about,  the  people  generally  made  themfelves 
parties  to  one  fide  or  the  other  of  the  quarrel. — A 
world  of  fin  was  doubtlefs  9onimitted,  even  by  pi- 
ous men  on  this  occafion. 

It  came  at  laft  to  an  open  breach,  which  could 
not  be  healed,  or  made  up  among  themfelves, 
which  put  them  upon  a  neceflity  of  calling  a  con- 
vention of  themeflengers  of  fundry  churches  in  the 
MalTachufetts,  who  met  at  Bofton,  in  1^9,  and 
made  a  reconciliation  between  them  — The  pradice 
of  church-care,  about  the  children  of  our  churches, 
met  with  fuch  oppolition  ascould  not  be  encoun- 
tered with  any  thing  Icfs  than  a  fynod,  or  elders 
and  mcffcngers  from  all  the  churches  of  the  Maf- 
fachufetts  colony.  Accordingly  the  general  court, 
having  the  necemty  of  the  matter  laid  before  thera 
at  their  fecond  fcf]ion,in  the  year  i66i,ifiliedoiit 
their  defire  and  order  for  the  convening  of  fuch  a 
fynod  at  Bofton  in  the  fpring."  After  long  labor 
tht  majority  of  them  approved  of  the  above  pro- 
pofition,  and  obtained  the  concurrance  of  the  ge- 
neral court  thereto,  on  October  8th,  1662.  *    IVIr. 

Mitchci, 
^  Hubbard— Magnah'a,  B,  3.  p.  ii- >  :""      -^^  B.  5.  p.  63,  64. 


334      HISTORY  of  the  BAPTIST  S 

• 

Mitchel,  who  was  the  chief  draughtfman,  of  that 
relult,  laid,  "  We  make  account  that  if  we  keep 
baptiini  within  the  non-exconimunicabJe,  and  the 
Lord's  fupper  within  the  compafs  of  thoie  that  have 
(unto  charity)  fome  what  of  the  power  of  goodlinefs^ 
or  grace  in  exerciff,  we  fiiall  be  near  about  the  right 
middls-'way  of  cliurch-reformation.  "  *  And  it  has 
been  called  the  half-ioay  covenant  ever  fmce  ;  tho' 
this  barcing  of  matters  in  religion  has  done  more 
mifchief  in  this  land,  as  well  as  elfewherCj  than 
tongae  can  exprcfs. 

Mr.  iileazcr  Mather,  the  firft  minifter  of  North- 
ampton, wiote  on  July  4,  thio  year,  to  Devenport, 
and  faidconccrningthis  fynod,  "  There  was  fcarce 
any  of  tlic  congregational  principles,but  what  were 
lyen  at  by  fome  or  other  of  the  affembly  ;  as  rela- 
tions of  the  work  of  grace,  power  of  voting  of  the 
fraternity  in  adniiflion,*'  &c.  f  Prciident  Chauncey 
publiflied  his  teftimuny  againft  this  new  Ichcme  ; 
and  fo  did  Mr.  Devenport ;  to  the  laft  of  which  Mr. 
Increafe  Mather  wrote  a  preface,  containing  a  di- 
ftind  apology  for  thofe  who  difTcnted  from  it.  Mr. 
John  Allen  of  Dedham  anfwered  Mr.  Chauncey, 
and  Mr.  Richard  Mather  the  otlier,  while  Mr. 
Mitchel  was  employed  to  anfwer  his  fons  preface. 
Young  Mr.  Mather  in  that  preface  lays,  "  I  he  fy- 
nod acknowledged,  that  there  ought  be  to  truey^z'- 
ing  faith  in  the  parent,  or  elfe  the  child  ought  not 
to  be  bapti?:ed.  We  intreated  and  urged  again  and 
again,  that  this,  which  themfelves  acknowledged 
was  a  principle  of  truth;  might  be  ^di  down  for  a 
conclulion,  and  then  we  fhould  all  agree.  But 
thofe  reverend  perfons  would  not  confent  to  this." 
No  5  and  Mr.  Mitchel  was  fo  far  from  doing  it  in 

his 

*  His  life,  p.  76,  80. 

t  Mair.  hilt.  vol.  1.  p.  224. 


Ii66z']       IN   NEW-ENGLAND.      335 

his  anf  A  er,  that  he  tells  of  diftinguifliing  between 
faith  in  its  hopeful  beginning,  and  faith  in 
fpecial  exercife  ;  initial  faith  and  exercifed  faith, 
and  fays,  "  All  reformed  churches,  unanimouily 
grant  the  child's  right  unto  baptifm,  by  its  being 
born  within  the  'uifible  church.  Bcfides,  what  have 
infants  more  than  meer  memberjhip  to  give  them 
right  unto  baptifm  ?  We  know  of  no  llronger  argu- 
ment for  infant  baptiim  than  this,  that  church 
viemhers  are  to  fe  baptized.*'*  *  To  which  I  would 
fay,  that  the  Jewifh  church  indeed  was  lirll  con- 
ftituted  of  the  houfhold  of  Abraham,  and  all  his 
offspring  were  born  in  the  church,  of  whom  the 
fon  of  the  bond  woman  was  the  iirfl  that  was  cir- 
cumcifed  ;  but  the  chriftian  church  is  conftituted 
of  the  houlhold  of  God,  the  children  of  the  free  %uo- 
man,  in  difHnclion  from  thofe  who  were  born  after 
the  /lefhy  though  from  Abraham's  body.  Ephefians 
2.     Gal.   4. 

Mr  Mitchel,  by  his  reafonihgs  drew  Mr.  L 
Mather  over  to  that  fide ;  after  which  he  acled 
many  cruel  things  againll  the  baptifts  for  near  zo 
years,  till  the  fame  meafures  were  meeted  to  him 
again,  fo  as  very  fenfable  to  convince  him  of  his 
error  therein.  Mr.  Hubbard  fays,  "  >ome  think; 
Mr.  "Devenport's  book  hath  overthrown  the  pro- 
portions  of  the  fynod,  according  to  their  own 
principles."  Mr.  Devenport  was  a  while  in  HoL 
land,  before  he  came  here,  where  he  teftified 
againft  their  promifuous  baptifms ,  and  he  faid, 
"  VV  hen  a  reformation  of  the  church  has  been 
brought  about  in  any  part  of  the  world,  it  hasrare- 
ly  been  afterwards  carried  on  any  one  ftep  further 
than  theyfr/?  reformers  did  fucceed  in  Xhoxv  firfi  en-* 
deavors.     He  obferved,  that  as  ealily  might  the  ark; 

have  ' 

f  Magnalia,  book  5,  page  77 — 79, 


33<5      HISTORY  or  the  BAPTISTS^ 

have  been  removed  from  the  mountains  of  Ararat, 
where  it  lirli  grounded,  as  a  people  get  any  ground 
in  reform alion,  after  and  beyond  the  firll  remove 
of  the  reformers.  And  this  obfervation  quick- 
ened him  to  embark  in  a  delign  of  reformation, 
wherein  he  might  have  opportunity  to  drive  things 
in  the^^  ^/_y,  as  near  to  the  precept  and  pattern 
of  fcripture  as  they  could  be  driven."  *  We  (hall 
prefcntly  fee  other  minifters  promoting  a  fepara- 
tion  from  him  for  thefe  attempts. 

'  On  the  8th  of  May,  this  year,  the  aflembly  at 
Boflon  wrote  to  that  of  Rhode-Illand  and  laid, 
"  Our  afFc6lion  to  peace  and  a  fair  correfpondance, 
puts  us  upon  a  condefcention  far  beneath  our  own 
reafon,  and  the  juftice  of  our  caufe,  once  more  to 
tranfm.it  this  our  lalt  letter  to  you,  concerning  the 
unjuft  moleftation  and  intrulion  of  fome  of  your 
inhabitants,  upon  the  undoubted  rights  of  this 
jurifdiclion,  and  the  inhabitants  thereof,  in  their 
grants  and  poffeillons  in  the  Pequot  and  Narragan- 
fet  country,  upon  pretence  of  authority  from  your 
court,  and  purchafe  from  Indians,  but  producing 
no  deed,  record,  order  or  commiiTion  for  warrant- 
ing the  fame  ;*  wherein,  as  we  conceive,  they  acl 
directly  againft  reafon,  righteoufnefs,  precedent, 
grants  from  England,  clear  conqueft, purchafe  and 
poffeflion.  It  is  not  unknow  to  yourfelves  what 
means  have  been  ufcd  from  time  to  time,  both 
by  the  commifiioHers  of  the  United  Colonies,  and 
by  the  governor  and  magiftrates,  general  court 
and  council  of  this  jurifdiccion,'  by  their  fevcral 
letters,  to  defire  you  to  caufe  your  people  to  defift 
fuch  proceedings,  and  extend  your  authority  for 
fupprefling  injullicc  ;  but  to  this  day  have  received 
j)o  fatisfac^ory  or  particular  anfwer  in  the  prcmi- 

fes  ; 
*  Msgnalia,  book  3.  page  53. 


[i662]       IN  NEW-ENGLAND;        337 

fes  ;  which  h:is  given  lis  grounds  to  fuppofe,.  that 
at  kaft  you  indulge  therri  in  their  proceedingsi 
You  may  heixby  have  notice,  that  two  of  your 
people,  namely,  Tobias  Sanders,  and  Robert  Bar-* 
dick,  behig  k:)ng  finee  taken  on  the  place^  and  fe- 
cured  by  us  to  aufwer  their  treipafs,  we  have 
Jnow  called  them  before  the  cbiirtj  and  find  no- 
thing from  them  to  juttiiy  their  proceedings  ; 
therefore  the  court  hath  hncd  theni  40I.  for  their 
off^jnce,  arid  towards  lati-^taclion  for  the  chatges 
expended  in  carrying  tiiem  before  authority^ 
and  that  they  ftand  committed  till  the  fine  be 
fatisfied,  and  fecurity  given  to  the  fecretary  to  the 
Value  of  lool.  for  their  peaceable  demeanour  to* 
ward  all  the  inhabitants  of  this  jiirifdiction  for  the 
future.  And  we  hereby  fignify,  untd  ydii,  that 
tinlefs  you  command  off  your  inhabitants  tliac  yet 
continue  their  poiTeilion  at  Sotherton  and  Pate- 
ikomfcut  before  thfe  lail  of  June  next,  yoii  may 
(expect  we  fliall  not  continue  to  ncgled  the  ,  relief 
and  prdteclion  of  Our  people  there  molefled  j  and 
Hiall  account  it  our  duty  to  fecure  all  fuch  perions 
and  eihites  of  yours"as  fhall  be  found  within  our 
jurlfdiction,  until  jufi:  damages  be  tatisiled.  But 
this  we  heartily  and  earneflly  defire  may  be  avoid- 
ed, by  your  priident  care  arid  juftice,  arid  that 
jpeace  and  good  agreement  may  for  the  future  be 
preferved  between  us/'*       ,  ., 

This  reminds  me  of  Mr.  Locke's  fayirig,  "  That 
dominion  is  fou7idedi?i grace^i's,  an  affcrtion  \vj  which 
thofe  who  maintain  it  do  plainly  lav  claim  to  the 
poffejjtonof  all  things  ;  for  they  are  not  ft)  wanting  to 
themfelves  as  not  to  believe,  or  at  lead  aS  not  to* 
profefs  themfelves  to  be  the  truly  pious  and  faith-. 
lul."  f  Becaufe  Mr.  Williams  teftified  againi^ 
W     w  that 

•  J^ode-ldand  rccordsa        -[  On  tolleration,  ptgc  6  i  < 


-.-,8      TITSTORt  Or  THE  BAPTISTS 


jj 


that  pnwerwhcn  he  firft  came  to  Bofton,  the  court 
wrote  to  Salem  agiiinft  him  ;  whereupon  he  did 
not  ftny  to  contend  with  tliem,  bij^  peacably  with- 
drew to  Plymouth,  where  hh  teaching  was  well 
approved  as  lon^  as  IMr.  Bradford  was  governor. 
But  when  Mr.  Winflow  came  into  that  oihce^ 
V'ho  with  the  Maliachufetts  was  airainft  a  full  to- 
ieration  in.  religious  matters,  *  JMr.WiJIiams  peace- 
ably retired  to  Salem,  and  took  the  charge  of  that 
iffick  ;  but  for  the  churches  receiving  him  without 
the  rcJcrs  leave,  they  took  away  Ibme  of  their 
T^JbiFeffiuns.  till  they  would  ^ive  up  Mr.  WilHams ;. 
■and,  for  his  faithfu;  admouitions  to  them  on  that 
account,  they  expe-led  him^outof  their  juriidic- 
^ion  ;but  whocan  cell  how  far  that  extends  r  When 
le.,came  firil  into  thi-  country  all  the  Indiims  Irom 
*!Bo-ton  and  Plymouth- Bays  to  Faucatuck  river 
"were  tributaries  to  the  chief  fachems  of  TNarragan- 
fat ;  and  from  thence  to  Hudlbn's  river,  and.  over 
all  Long  Ifiand  Safiieus  had  extended  his  power, 
'even  over  16  fachems.  f  The  Pequot,  being  thus 
'powerful,  inade  war  upon  the  Narrvioanfets,  w^ha, 
jn  April  1632,  had  a  number  of  their  tributaries- 
'Out  of  Plymouth  and  Maflachufett  colonies  to  aiTift 
"them  againil  him  ;  yet  iSailxcus  prevailed,  aud  ex- 
tended I  his  territories  ten  miles  eaft  of  Pauca- 
t'-3ck  river.  About  the  fame  time  Natuwannute, 
a  facliem  of  the  country  about  v/hcre  Hartford 
BOW  Hands,  watli  a  number  of  his  men,  "  were 
driven  out  from  thence  by  the  potency  of  the  Pe- 
quots,"^  and  cani»i  to  our  fathers  at  Plyraouthy 
aad  requcllcd  them  to  go  up  and  trade  there,  tho*' 

*'  their 

*  Maffjchnfe'-rs  hiftory,  vol-  3-  p.^pe  1^4. 
f  Connedicut  .:<fie!nblv's  anfvter  to  the  kwg's  letter,    I77Jr 
wrote  by  governor  Trumbull. 

J  trmcc's  aanals,  page  5S,  ^jr 


ri5(52]       rN   NEW-ENGLAND.       335,, 

"  their  end  ^vas  to  be  reftoicd  to  their  country 
again."  i'his  motion  was  comph'cd  with,  and  1 
trading  houfe  was  iet  up  among  tlicm.  *  Which, 
was  inch  ati  eyefore  to  the  Pequots,  that  in  1634 
they  murdered  captain  Stone  and  leven  men  witli 
him,  plundered  his  goods  and  funk  his  veffcl,  be- 
caufe  they  were  going  up  Cunneclicut  river  to 
trade  there.  T^vo  years  after  they  murdered 
Captain  Oldham  as  I  have  related,  p.  'j^.  And 
upon  the  notice  which  Mr.  Williams  gave  thcai 
of  this  iad  event,  Mr.  Endicot  with  an  armed  force 
wasfentin  Aug.  25,  lO^^"^,  to .  try  to  bring  the 
Pequots  to  teniis  ;  bat  johnfon  fays  it  pro\ed  a. 
hootlefs  njoym^e^  only  his  leaving  Ibnie  men  with 
Uudcrhill,  at  Saybrook  fort,  prevented  its  being 
taken.  Upon  his  return  Saflicus  applied  to  tho 
Narraginfeta  for  a  reconciliation,  that  they  all 
might  join  to  expel  thefe  ne.v  comers  ;  reprefent- 
ing,  "  that  if  they  fhould  help,  or  fufier  the  Eng- 
lifli  to  fubdue  the  Pequots,  they  would  thereby 
make  way  for  their  own  future  ruin  ;  and  that 
they  need  not  come  to  open  battle  ui^  the  I' ng- 
lifli  ;-for  only  to  lire  their  houfes ;  kill  their  cattle, 
lay  in  ambuOi  and  llioot  them  as  they  went  about 
tlieir  bulinels,  they  would  quickly  be  foiced  to 
leave  the  country,  and  the  Indians  not  be  expoled 
to  any  great  hazard."  j 

Had  two  fuch  politic  and  potent  princes  as  Saf- 
ficus  and  Miantinomo  were,  united  in  this  fcheme, 
when  Bofton  was  but  hx  years  old  ;  Providence 
and  Hartford  but  a  few  mouths,  and  iMew-Havert 
not  begun,  what  would  have  become,  of  all  their 
claims  tliey  were  now  contending  for.  And  it  i^i 
jlioft  evident  that  Mr.  Williams  was  the  very  ir*- 

ftrumcnt 

*  -Vb.fr^.chufetts  lilftory,  vo!.  z.  page  469,  470. 

f.  M  g  j:  Mufoa's.  hiitcry  gf  ib^  i'cnuo;  war  aud  oilier:. 


349      HISTORY  op  the  BAf  TIST3 

ftrument  of  preventing  the  junction  of  thofe  two 
great  liidian'pvOvvci;,,  and  lb  of  laving  the  vaft  in- 
terelt  wc  now  nave  in  this  country  ;  but  how  w^as 
he  requited  for  it  ?  Why  after  Warwick  men  had 
obtained  as  fair  a  title  ro  that  town,  as  the  Mafla- 
chuiett$'eyer  had'  to  Bolton, yet  becaufe  they  were 
not  orthodox  they  were  fetched  away  by  force  o£ 
amis;  and  the  captive  iachem  was  niur'iercd  for 
fear  he  fliould  revenge  fuch  doings.  And  when 
th.e  orthodox  part\  afLvjrward  proclaimed  war  upon 
h'-S  fuccciibrs,' becaufe  they  were  for  revenging  his 
death,  and  Air.  WiUiams,  to  prevent  the  furtlier 
etufion  brblood,  had  prevailed  with  them  to  go 
down  a::a  tcttle  the  matter  at  Bofton,  how  were 
they  trca:'v'i  ?  p.  193  195.  "They  were  not  only 
compelled  to  fign  an  engagement  to  pay  all  dama- 
ges and  cods,  and  to  quit  any  claim  to  the  Pequot 
Country,  but  alio  t6  fay,  "  The  Narraganfet  and 
ISl-j^antick  fagaraores  and  dcput;-,  hereby  agree  and 
covenant,  to  arid  with  tlie  comniilTioners  of  the 
"United  Colonies,  that  henceforv/ard,  they  will  nei- 
ther gi\^e,  grant,  fell,  or  in  any  manner  ahenate 
2.ny  pXii  oi' tbjir  country^  nor  any  parcel  of  land 
^herein,  either  to  any  £nglifh  or  others,  without 
confent  or  allowance  of  tl:c  faid  commifTioners.'* 
And  two'ycars  a^ter,  upon  their  calling  for  their 
pay,  Panicus  fcnt  them  word,  that  "  when  hdl 
inidcthis  covenant,'he  didit  in  fear  of  the  army, 
arid 'though  the' Knglilh  kept  their  covenant  wita 
hiin  therc,'and  let  him  go  from  then),  yet  the  ar- 
i.ny 'was  to  go' to  Narraginlet  imm.ediately  and 
kill,  him  th'eje  ;  therefore  faid  the'  c' mmiflioners,' 
Set  your  bunds  to  fuch  and  fuch  ihwgs\  or  elje  the  ar- 
my Jhal  I  go  forth  io'ih'e  Nai'raganfets*'  In  anfwer  to 
which  the  commiiiioners  fay,  After  covenants 
Jtave  been  fokmuly  made,  and  hoflages  given,'  an^ 


[i6"52]      i}j   NEW-EN  GL A NI>.       341 

a  fmall  part  of  the  wampum  paid,  and  all  the  reft 
due,  iiovv  to  pretend  tears  is  a  vain  and  ofFenfivc 
excufe**  *  This  ihews  that  themselves  did  not 
rieglccl  the  rule  they  prefcribed  to  their  general  in 
tnat  expedition,  viz.  "  You  are  to  ufe  your  befi 
endeavours  to  gain  the  enemies  canoes,  or  utterly 
to  dettroy  them,  and  herein  you  may  make  good 
u{>  ot"  the  Indians  our  confederates,  as  you  may 
do  upon  other  occafions,  having  due  regard  to  the 
honor  of  God,  who  is  both  our  fword  and  ftiield, 
and  to  the  dijiance  which  is  to  be  obfcryed  betwixt 
chrijiians  and  barbarians,  as  well  in  war  as  ii^  other 
negociations."f 

Sixteen  months  before  that  covenant  wa? 
made,  Pafficus  and  other  heads  of  their  tribes,  had 
by  an  ample  deed  refigned  oyer  and  fubmitted  al( 
thofe  lands  to  the  fupreme  authority  in  England, 
^nd  Mr.  WiUiams hai procured  a  charter  thereof 
from  thence,  extending  unto  the  Pequot  river  and 
country,  page  148,  192.  The  Mailiachufetts  re- 
cords, upon  granting  Fifher's  illand  to  Mr.  Win^ 
throp,  p.  1 15  fay  it  lies  againft  tlie  mouth  of  Pe-. 
quoc  river.  What  right  of  jurifdiclion  then  had 
thofe  colonies  ea(t  of  that  river  ?  and  what  right 
had  PaOicusto  engage  any  of  thofe  lands  to  them, 
which  he  had  fubmilted  to  another  authority  fp 
long  before  ?  By  repeated  endeavors  the  com-* 
millioncrs  had  got  all  the  wampum  that  was  pro- 
iuifed  infaid  covenant  but  30S  fathom,  before  they 
met  at  Hartford  on  Sept.  5,  1650  ;  and  then  cap- 
tain Atherton  was  fent,  with  twenty  armed  men, 
to  demand  the  remainder,  with  orders  to  fcize 
their  goods  if  the  Indians  refufed  to  pay  it  ;  ancj 
if  refiifance  fliould  be  made  fo  as  any  life  was  loft, 

that  ' 

*  Records  of  the  United  Colonics. 

^  Mailachufctts  hiflory,  vol.  3.  psge  151* 


543.     HISTORY  OF  the  BAPTISTS' 

that  a  fpecial  meeting  of  the  comiUioncrs  fhoulcj 
then  be  called  to  m;ike  war  upon  them  for  it.  He 
accordini^Iy  went,  and  placed  his  inea  round  I'af- 
ijcus's  tent,  and  going  into  it,  feized  the  tachem 
by  the  hair  of  his  head,  and  threatened  to  Ihoot 
Iiim,  if  any  refittauce  was  made,  'lids  terrihed 
thcax  ib  much,  that  tlie  wampum,  was  prefentiy 
piiid;  On  July  -15,  165 1 ,  at  the  delire  of  the  Nar- 
ragaufet  iuchems,  Mr.  WilHams  wrote  to  the  go-» 
vernor  at  Bofton,  an  account  of  iundry  complaints 
they  had  againft  Lhicas  ;  which  letter  was  laid  be-, 
fore  the  commillioners  when  they  met  at  JNew- 
Haven,  the  4th  of  September  fol'.Aving  j  but  tho' 
XJncas  was  prefent  yet  they  aclcd  nothing  upon  it, 
tecauie  the  Narraganfets  had  not  ient  any  of  their; 
men  to  fupoort  the  charge.  At  the  lame  time  a 
tribute  of  3 1  2  fathom  of  wampum  was  paid  by 
XJncas,  Ninceroft  and  others,  on  account  of  the 
Pequots  they  had  among  them;  and  upon  laying 
of  it  down  they  demanded,  "Why  this  tribute 
was  required,  how  long  it  Ihould  continue,  and* 
whether  the  children  to  be  born  hereafter  were  to 
pay  it  ?  AH  which  being  confidered,  the  commiffion, 
evi  by  Thomas  Stanton,  anfvvered,  that  the  tiibute 
by  agreement  hath  been  due  yearly  from  the  Pe- 
quots  iince  anno  i6'^8,  for  fundry  murders  with- 
out provocation  committed  by  them  upon  feverai 
of  the  Enghih  at  feverai  times,  as  they  tound  op- 
portunity ;  refuhng  either  ta  deliver  up  the  mur- 
derers or  to  do  juftice  upon  them  ;  fo  drawing  oa 
a  war  upon  thcmielves,  to  the  great  charge  :\r.d  in- 
convenience of  the  hngliih  :  v.'hich  war,  througl^ 
the  ffood  l\:uid  vf  our  God,  illucd  iirfl  in  a  con- 
Queil  over  that  treacherous  and  bloody  people,  ana 
after  by  agreement  (to  fpave  as  much  as  might  be. 
even  fuch  guilty  tlgod)  i^  a  ikiali  tribute,  to  bq. 

gaid. 


fi562]       IN  NEW-ENGL  AND.      343 

|:ikl  indifferent  proportions, by,  and  for  theirm^Ies, 
According  to  their  different  .ages  yearly  ;  but  hath 
n(jt  hitherto  been  iatisfted,  though  demanded. 
Wherefore,  though  twelve  years  tribute  v/ere  due 
before  the  year  1650,  and  though  the  agreement 
was  for  a  yearly  tribute  tO  be  paid  by  them  .knd 
theirs,  fo  long  as  they  continue  in  this  part  of  the 
country  ;  yet  the  commiiTianers,  fomething  to  cafe 
their  fpirits,  a.nd  to  engage  them  to  an  inoffenhvc 
and  peacablc  carriage,  declared  that  the  payment 
of  this  tribute  fhail  be  limited  to  ten  years,  this  laft 
year  to  be  reckoned  the  firft  ;  after  which,  unlefs 
thev  draw  trouble  unto  themfeives,  they  fliali  be 
free."  * 

Such  an  uneaflnefs  rtmono^.  the  Narra?<anfets 
was  difcovercd  two  years  after,  that  another  army 
was  raifed  and  fent  againft  them,  which  compelled 
them  into  another  treaty,  which  not  being  other- 
xvife  fuliiUed,  the  fachems  were  brought  on  Odo- 
ber  13,  1660  to  mortgage  all  their  lands,  to  Major 
!^thcrton,  and  about  twenty  affociates  v/ith  hirafy 
for  6oD  fathom  of-  wampum,  iaid  then  to  be  due 
to  the  commilTioners  of  the  united  colonies.  I  find; 
alfo  by  the  records,  that  the  Mafiachufttts  and 
Conne<5licuts  could  never  ^igrec  how  to  divide  the 
Pequot  lands  betwixt  them,  till  the  commiiHoncrs 
from  Plymouth  and  New-Haven  had  the  cafe  rc- 
fered  to  them,  and  they  on  Sept.  16,  1658,  fettled 
the  line  betwixt  them  ;  which  was- to  be  Miftick 
river  (wnich  runs  in  betwixt  Stoaington  and  Gra- 
ton)  up  to  the  pond,  by  Lanthorn-hi'l,  and  thence 
from  the  middle  ol  that  pond  to  run  a  north  Gonrfc  ^ 
the  MalTacbuietts  to  hive  both  property  and  iurif- 
diclion  from  thence  to  Wecapaug-brook,  whicli 
was  the   eafterly  bounds   of  Saflicus*s  conqueft- 

Pataquamfcut 
*  Records  of  the  United  Colonies, 


344      HiSTdRY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  S 

Pataquamfcut  purchafe  was  made  partly  in  1657 
and  partly  in  1658,  by  fomc  inhabitants  of  Rhode*- 
Ifland,  and  John  Hull  of  Boflon,  who  got  a  great 
eftate  by  coining  their  fiiver  monevo)  This  pur^ 
chafe  was  about  fifteen  miles  in  length,  and  fcven  ifi 
breadth,  in  the  heart  of  the  Narraganfet  country.* 

When  their  afll-mbly  met  at  Newport  May  21; 
1661,  they  appointed  a  committee  upon  the  let- 
ters they  had  then  received  from  the  Maflhchil- 
fetts,  "  who  ferioully  confidered  and  debated  cir- 
cumftances,  concerning  the  matter  in  difference-, 
betwixt  the  gentlemen,  and  fome  friends  with 
them,  that  are  active  in.  .(haring  the  JS'arraganfet 
lands  in  the  colony,  without  the  confent  of  the 
colony  J  and  we  find  by  their  letter,  that  thofe  gen- 
tlemen,major  Atherton  and  affociates  are  not  fo  weH 
informed  of  the  intent  of  the  colony  as  might  be 
tequifite/'  And  the)  concluded  to  write  and 
give  them  better  information,  and  to  offer  to  leave 
the  cafe  to  referees  to  fettle  it  ;  but  fay,  ''  In  cafe 
1  fair  iffue  cannot  be  had,  as  is  defired,  then,  in  i. 
fpcedy  and  convenient  time  and  feafori,  to  forbid 
the  faid  gentlemen,  or  any  of  their  company,  in 
bis  majefty's  name,  from  further  proceeding  in  the 
faid  purchafe,  as  to  poffeffmg  or  fliaring  of  any  of  the 
faid  lands,  and  to  profecute  them,  or  any  of  them, 
in  cafe  they  flill  proceed  without  confent  of  the 

colony, 

*  In  l66~8  thefe  plirchsfers  gave  three-hundred  acres  of  the?t 
beft  Isnd,  for  an  orthodox  perfon,  to  rreich  God's  word  to  tht 
inhabitants  ;  which  has  coft  much  contention  in  the  law.  Do\v~ 
glafs,  vol.  z.  fhige  104. 

In  1752,  Dr.  Macfpanan  faid,  "I  have  been  "nj^sged  in  a  law- 
fuit  about  Glebeland  twenty-eight  years,  and  the  independant 
teacher  ha«  at  latt  obtained  a  decree  in  council  in  bis  favour  ;  fo 
that  I  am  forced  to  fit  down  by  the  lofs  of  at  leaft  600I.  ftcrling;" 
jlmerica  dift^ed,  page  42. 

1  am  told  that  Dr  Stennett,  a  baptlft  minifter  in  London,  had 
a  great  hand  m  procuring  this  decree  for  Mr.  Jofeph  ToVry. 


[i[66i]       ii*  NEW-ENGLANDi       345 

Colony,  as  concluding  that  fucli  their  proceedings 
are  contrary  to  the  crown  and  dignity  ot  his  niajcf- 
ty,  and  to  the  peace  and  well-being  of  his  majefty'a 
fubjeds  in  this  colony."  The  27th  of  Auguft  foU 
lowing  an  alTembly  met  at  Portfmouth,  of  which 
Mr.  Williiams  M'as  a  member,  when  they  fetit  a 
commiflion  and  letters  to  Mr.Clarkcjto  follicit  for  a 
new  Charter,  April  27th,  1662,  the  town  of  Pro- 
vidence gave  Mr.  Clarke  a  full  purchafe  right  of 
land  therein  as  a  free  gift;  The  next  month  came 
the  for^^oing  letter  from  I^dfton  to  their  aflembly^ 
with  account  of  their  dealing  with  men  whom  they 
called  trcfpaferSi  of  whom  Mr;  Burdick  was  then 
a  member  of  Mr.  Clarke's  church.-;^- — He  mar-, 
ried  Mr.  Sam.ud  Hubbard's  daughter^  and  has  a 
large  pofterity  remaining  in  and  about  wefterly 
to  this  dayj  Mr.  Sanford,  and  Mr;  Greene,  were: 
now  fent  td  Bofton  to  make  anothei-  trial  for  an 
amicable  fettlement  of  this  *:onttoverry.  It  la 
to  be  noted j  that  neither  of  thofe  colonies,  who  had 
made  fuch  a  noife  about  their  rightSj  had  ever  re- 
teived  any  charter,  either  from  king  or  parliament, 
t)f  any  lands  td  the  weft  of  Providence  colony  j 
till  Connecticut,  by  the  help  of  Mr.  Winthrap,  ob- 
tained one  dated  April  23,  i662,which  took  New-. 
Haven  into  the  fame  colony^  And  when  the  com- 
inifliorters  met  at  Bofton  thi^  4th  of  beptember^ 
they  wrote  tc  Rhode-lfland  rulers  in  their  former 
ftrain,  and  infofmed  them  of  a  warrant  they  had 
feen,  figned  by  JofephTorry  their  fecretary,  in  the 
name  of  the  general  court^j  "warningCapt.  Gookin 
and  others  to  deiift  and  forbear  any  further  or  fu- 
ture pofleftron  of  any  lands  at  or  about  Paucatuck 
as  they  ftiall  anfwer  tlie  contrary  at  their  peril  ; 
yet  withal  expreflingyour  fubmiftion  to  his  majcfty*s 
determination.  Wherefore  [fay  the  cornmiflioners] 
X    X  being 


346      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

being  earneftly  defirous  to  prevent  any  further 
difturbance  of  the  peace  of  the  colonies,  though 
we  have  no  doubt  of  the  prefcnt  right  and  intereft 
of  the  IV!  aifachufetts  to  thoie  lands,  we  are  willing 
to  improve  the  argument  which  yourfelves  have 
owned  and  therefore  thought  meet  to  certify  you, 
that  we  have  read  and  peruled  a  charter  of  i?icorpo- 
ration,  under  the  broad  fcal  of  England,  i^nt  (<ver 
in  the  lad  Clip,  granted  to  fome  gentlemen  of  Con- 
necticut, v/hcrein  the  lands  rt  Paucatuck  and  Nar* 
raganfet  are  contained,  which  we  hope  will  pre- 
vail with  you  to  require  and  cauie  your  people  to 
withdraw  themfelvcs,  and  defift  from  further  uif» 
turbancei" 

1'he  words  in  faid  charter  which  they  bri'ilt  this 
upon,  bounded  that  colony  eaft,  "  by  the  Ts'.irra- 
ganfet  river,  commonly  cdled  Narraganfct  bay, 
where  the  faid  river,  fallcth  into  the  lea/'  Now  it 
is  to  be  remembered,  that  Flymoiith  patent  was 
bounded  weft  ward  by  Narraganfet  river  and  bay, 
and  thefe  colonifts  pretended  that  Warwick  was 
included  therein,  which  could  not  be,  imlcfs  Pau- 
catuck was  the  river  meant ;  and  if  it^was,\rhere  is 
their  right  now  to  go  caft  of  it  by  ConneJlicut 
charter  ?  The  truth  is,  names  are  arbitrary,  and 
thofe  worthy  governors,  Bradford  and  VS'iniiov/, 
took  Patucket  to  be  the  river  intended  in  their 
patent,  p.  72,  -74.  And  there  was  now  Icis  room 
left  for  this  difpute  ;  for  on  July  8,  1663  hia  ma- 
jefty  granted  Rhode-Ifland  charter,  which  dcfcribe? 
their  weft  boundaries  to  be  the  middle  channel  of 
Paucatuck  river  up  to  its  head,  ard  thencea  norch 
couffe  to  the  fouthline  of  the  Ma/Tachufetts ;  which 
river  fays  he,  "  having  been  yielded  after  much 
debate,  for  the  fixed  and  certain  bounds  between 
thefe  our  faid  colonies,  by  the  agents  thereof ;  who 

have 


t:i663]       iM  NE W.ENGLAND.      347 

have  alio  agreed,  that  the  faid  Paucatuck  riyer 
iiuii  be  alio  called,  alias,  Narraganfet  river  ;  and 
,to  prevent  ruture  dilputes  that  otherwiie  might 
ante  thereby  forever  hereafter,  fhall  be  conftrued, 
deemed  and  taken  to  be  the  Narraganfet  river,  in 
our  late  grant  to  Lonneeticut  colony,  mentioned 
as  the  eaftwardly  bounds  of  that  colony."  This 
colony  of  Rhode-Ifland  and  Providence  plantations, 
was  to  extend  three  Engiilh  miles  eaft  and  north- 
call  of  the  moil  eailern  and  northeaftern  parts  of 
the  Narraganfet  bay,  unto  the  mouth  of  Providence 
river,and  thence  by  the  eaftwardly  bank  of  it  up  to 
Patucket  falls,  being  the  moji  ivejiiuardly  line  of  Ply- 
mouth colony  ;  and  thence  due  north  to  the  Maila- 
chufetts  line,  by  which  it  is  bounded  on  the  north, 
and  by  the  ocean  on  the  ibuth,  including  Block- 
Ifland,  and  the  other  illands  within  their  bay.  As 
the  Indians  had  formerly  fent  ov£r  a  fubmiilion  of 
thenrifelves  and  land,  to  the  king's  father,  they  had 
now  fent  another  to  him  ;  whereupon  he  fays  in 
this  charter,  "  It  Ihall  not  be  lawful  to,  or  for  the 
reft ofthe colonies,  to  invade  or  molefl  the  native  In- 
dians, or  any  other  inhabitants  inhabiting  within 
the  bounds  and  limits  hereafter  mentioned  ;  they 
having  fubjected  themfelves  unto  us,  and  being  by 
us  taken  into  our  fpecial  protection,  without  the 
knowledge  and  confent  of  the  governor  and  com- 
pany of  our  colony  of  Rhode-ifland,  and  Provi- 
dence-plantations.* * 

This  charter  appointed  that  a  governor  deputy- 
governor,  and  ten  aillftants  fhould  be  elected  annu- 
ally on  the  firfl  Wedncfday  in  May,  who,  with  de- 
puties or  reprefentatives  from  each  town,  were  to 
make  laws,  not  contrary  to  the  laws  of  England, 
make  grants  of  land,  conilitute  courts  of  juitice, 
and  appoint  iheii'  oflicers  both  civil  and  military. 

Mr. 


348       HISTORY  of  the  BAPTI5T3 

Mr.  Clarke  fent  over  this  charter,  and  Capt.  Gre^ 
gory  Dexter  fetched  it  frora  Boilon  ;  upon  which 
fL  large  afTembly  of  the  freemen  in  all  the  colony, 
rnet  at  Newport  November  24,  and  ordered  Capt* 
IDexter  to  take  forth  the  charter  and  read  it  before 
all  the  people,  and  hold  it  up  u^ith  the  broad  feal 
to  their  view,  and  then  to  have  it  fafely  depofited 
with  governor  Arnold.  And  they  v^oted  to  pay 
all  Mr.  Clarke's  dirburftmentis  in  going  to  England, 
in  their  fervice  there,  and  upon  his  intended  return; 
as  alfo  one  hundred  pounds  fieri,  as  a  free  gratuity 
to  him,  belide  thofe  expenccs  :  yea,  and  to  give 
Capt.  Dexter  twenty-five  pounds  fieri,  for  his  fer- 
vice and  faithFulnefs  in  bringing  the  charter  frora 
Bofton.  Mr.  Clarke's  letters  were  read,  upon 
which  letters  of  thanks  were  ordered  to  be  fent  to, 
the  king,  and  to  lord  Clarendon,  for  thefe  great 
favors  they  had  received  by  their  means.  The 
next  day  (after  the  govenor,  duputy-govcrnor, 
and  fix  afliftants  had  taken  their  engagements)  they 
called  the  fachems  of  the  Narraganfets,  and  Nian-. 
ticks  before  them,  and  let  them  know  what  the 
king  had  done  for  them  ;  upon  which  they  faid, 
**  they  return  his  majefly  great  thanks  for  his  gra- 
cious relief,  in  releafing  their  lands  from  thofe  forced 
purchafes  and  mortgages  by  fome  of  the  other  co- 
lonies." But  another  thing  which  is  by  no  means 
to  be  omitted  is,  that  the  king  fays,  in  their  peti- 
tion for  the  charter  they  declared,-  "  That  it  is 
much  on  their  hearts,  if  they  may  be  permitted, 
to  hold  forth  a  lively  experiment,  that  a  mojit 
flourifhing  civil  flate  may  Itand  and  beft  be  main- 
tained, and  that  among  our  Engliflifubjccls,  with 

a  FULL   LIBRRTY   IN    RELIGIOUS   CONCERNMENTS, 

and  that  true  piety  rightly  grounded  upon  gofpel 
principles,  v/ill  give  the  beft  ^nd  greatefl  fccurity 

to 


[1663]      IN   NEW-ENGLAND,      349 

to  the  fovereignty,  and  will  lay  in  the  hearts  of  men, 
the  ftrongeft  obligation  to  true  loyalty.  This  pe^ 
tition  was  therefore  fully  granted  :  and  above  a 
hundred  years  after,  a  worthy  gentleman  w'ell  fays, 
*'  This  great  experiment  hath  been  made,  and  ii 
hath  fully  appeared,  that  a  flourifliing  civil  ftate, 
and  the  molt  unftained  loyalty,  may  (land  without 
the  help  of  any  religious  party  tefts  to  fupporfc 
them  ;  and  the  chriftian  religion  is  as  little  indebted 
to  human  laws  for  its  fupport,  as  it  is  to  human  In^ 
veiitions^  for  the  purity  of  its  morals,  and  the  fubli^ 
mity  of  its  docfripes.'*  * 

For  feven  years  pafl  there  had  been  many  con- 
tentions about  lands,  and  ftrivings  to  drain  Indian 
purchafes,  beyond  their  jult  limits,  in  Providence, 
X\ewport,  and  other  parts  of  the  colony,  which  Mr, 
Williams  had  a  great  hand  incompofmg  and  (ettlci- 
ing  \  the  particulars  of  which  would  be  very  in^ 
ftruclive,  had  we  room  for  them.  And  his  hope  in 
1647  ;  that  government,  held  forth  through  love, 
union  and  order,  though  by  few  in  number,  anrt 
mean  in  condition,  yet  would  withftand  and  overj- 
come  mighty  oppofers,  [page  200J  was  wonderful- 
ly  granted  and  confirmed  ;  the  memory  of  which, 
in  the  figure  of  an  anchor  with  this  word  for  its 
motto,  in  their  colony  feal,  has  been  continued  from 
that  time  to  this.  Mr.  Clarke  returned,  June  7th, 
1664,  after  he  had  fcrved  his  colony  at  the  BritilU 
court  twelve  years.  In  October  following  the 
aflembly  appointed  him,  Mr.  Williams  and  others^, 
to  infpecl:  their  laws,  to  fee  if  any  of  them  were 
contrary  to  their  charter,  and  to  make  a  table  of 
them.  A  committee  was  alfo  appointed  to  con- 
fidcr  of  their  eaftern  and  wcftern  boundaries,  and 
tQ  write  to  the  other  colonies  concerning  them., 

Conneclicut 
*  Hiftory  of  FF9v*isnce, 


550      HISTORY  OF  the  BAPTISTS 

Conneclicut  ilill  contended  for  power  and  jarifdic- 
tioa  in  Narraganfet,  and  offered  to  leave  the  cafe  to 
the  colonies  of  Maflachuletts  and  Plymouth  ;  which 
Rhode-lfland  would  not  do.  The  king's  commil- 
fioners  who  were  now  lent  over,  heard  the  com- 
plaints of  the  fachems  and  others,  and  entered 
upon  the  Narraganfet  country  in  the  king's  name, 
and  called  it  the  king's  province.  But  on  the  eaft 
line  they  allowed  Plymouth  colony  to  c^jme  to  the 
the  water,  till  his  majefiy's  plealiire  fhould  be  fur- 
ther known.*  Andfo  the  line  continued,  till  other 
commiifioners  in  1741,  fettled  the  hne  accordmg  to 
to  Rhode-Illand  charter,  which  gave  them  the 
towns  of  Briftol,  Warren,  Barrington,  Tiverton 
and  Littleccmpton,  which  Plymouth  and  the  Maf- 
fachufetts  had  held  till  then. 

The  firft  baptiil  church  within  that  which  is 
now  the  Maffachufetts  liate,  was  conftituted  in  Re- 
hoboth  this  year  %  Mr.  Holmes  and  his  friends  hav- 
ing only  held  a  meeting  there  for  a  while,  and' then 
removed  to  Newport.  For  a  more  clear  idea  of 
of  its  original  v/e  mull  look  over  into  Wales,  where 
at  Ilfton  in  Glamorganfhire  a  baptift  church  was 
formed,  Odober  ift,  1649  ;  the  beginning  where- 
of their  records  defcribe  thus,  viz.  "  We  cannot 
but  admire  at  the  unfearchable  wifdom,  power  and 
love  of  God,  in  bringing  about  his  own  deligns, 
far  above,  and  beyond  the  capacity  and  under- 
ftanding  of  the  wiicft  of  men.  Thug,  to  the  glory 
of  his  own  great  name,  hath  he  dealt  with  us  ;  for 
when  there  had  been  no  company  or  fociety  of  peo- 
ple, h'olding  forth  and  prcfeiTing  the  doctrine,  wor- 
Ihip,  order  and  difcipline  of  the  gofpel,  according 
to  the  primative  inftiution,  that  ever  we  heard  of 
in  all  Wales,  lince  the  apoifacy,  it  pleafed  the  Lord 

to 

•  MaiTachufetts  kift»fy,  vol.  3.  psgc  382—414,  415. 


[1663]      IN  NEW-ENGLAND.        351 

to  chufe  this  dark  corner  to  phce  his  name  in,  and 
honor  us,  undeferving  creatures,  with  the  happi- 
nefs  of  being  the  firft  in  all  thefe  parts,  among 
whom  was  praclifed  the  glorious  ordinance  of  bap- 
tilm,  and  here  to  gather  the  firft  church  of  bap- 
ti25ed  beHevers.'*  From  whence  they  go  on  tore- 
late,  how  Mr.  John  Miles  and  Mr.  Thomas  Proud, 
wctit  up  to  I  -ondon  the  next  prececding  fpring,  and 
by  the  direciion  of  i*rov5'.if nee,  came  into  the  bap- 
tiit  ibciety  at  tiie  Giai:i4ioufe  in  Droadilreet,  un- 
d::r  the  care  of  Mr.  William  >'  onfctt,  and  Mr.  Ed- 
ward Draper,  "  imiiiediately  after  they  had  kept 
a  day  to  fe.k  the  Lord,  that  lie  would  fend  labor- 
err,  into  the  dark  corners  of  the  laud.'*  Tlicfe  tra- 
wliei'a  w-jrc  well  received,  and  weric  foon  fcnt  back 
h.zo  their  own^ccuntry  again,  and  were  inftru* 
mei^.tal  of  gathering;  a  baptiil  church  at  the  time  a- 
b'Vv?  mentioned  ;  and  whicli,  by  rv  blelting  upon 
t;H:tr  labor?,  iucreafcd  by  the  clofc  pf  tlie  next 
voir  fo  iiFLy-fivc  mcrabers,  In  165J,  forty  more 
^(jjncd  t(i  ic  ;  forty-fcvcn  in  16525  ^''^d  by  the  end 
\>f  Tdv,>o,  two  hundred  s^nd  hxtyrtlfrvc  perfons  had 
jiii'-cJ  to  that  church,  v.'hoftj  names  all  now  ft  and 
ill  a  neat  book  of  records  which  they  kept ;  which 
contain  a  diftlnd  account  of  the  means  and  methods 
they  took  to  promote  vital  and  pradical  religion  a- 
mong  the  feveral  branches  of  their  fociety  ;  as  alfo 
letters  of  correfpondence  to  and  from  their  bre- 
thren in  various  parts  of  England  and  Ireland. 
But  here  another  fcene  opens. 
The  prcfbyterians  had  been  as  much  againft  e- 
qual  religious  liberty  as  the  epifcopalian'?,  and  ma- 
jiifcftcd  as  great  bitternefs  againft  thofe  who  broke 
their  pov/er  in  the  long  parliament ;  and  thefe  two 
parties  joined  in  reftoring  the  fecond  Charles  to 
the  throije,  who  came  in  with  plaufable  promifcs 


552      MISTORY  OF  THE  BAPtiSt  Si 

of  indulgence  to  tender  confcicnces  ;  and  great  ptifiS 
were  taken  to  accommodate  matters  between  them^ 
without  any  good  eiFecl.  The  epifcopalians  hav* 
ing  got  the  power  into  their  hands,  determined  W 
crafiialltliatoppofcd  it.  Among  the  reft  they  wreak- 
ed their  vengance  on  Sir  Henry  Vane,  v/hom  they 
beheaded  in  Au2:uft  1 662."  His  indifcretion  and 
mfolence  (la)  s  a  great  author)  as  well  on  his  trial 
as  his  execution,  have  been  extrearhly  aggravated  5 
but  it  is  eafy  to  feej  it  was  only  to  lave  the  king's 
honor,  who  having  politivly  promifed  a  p?;rdon  ta 
all  except  the  king's  judges,  could  not  avoid  grant- 
ing a  pardon  to  Vanej  without  Violating  his  pro^- 
iiiile."  And  when  Varie's  friertds  perliiaded  him 
to  make  fome  fubmiflion  in  order  to  fave  his  lifcy 
he  faid,  "  If  the  king  does  not  tlftdk  himfelf  rhors" 
concerned  for  his  honor  and  word,  than  I  do  fot 
my  life,  I  am  Very  wilhng  they  fliould  take  it. 
ISIay,  I  declare  that  I  value  my  life  lefs  in  a  good 
Caufe,  than  the  king  can  do  his  promife."  *  A 
prefbytetian  author  who  writes  very  bitterly  aga:i!ft' 
him,  yet  owns  that,  "  the  two  things  in  vhich  he 
had  moft  fuccefs,  and  fpake  moft  plainly,  were  his 
earneft  plea  for  iiniverfal  liberty  of  confcicnce,  and  a-; 
gainft  the  magiftrates  intermeddling  with  religior?,- 
and  his  teaching  his  followers  to  revile  the  rnmJ- 
ftry,  calling  them  ordinarily  black  coafs^  p^'i^J^h  ^^itf 
other  names  which  favoured  of  reproach."  And 
he  fays,  "  No  man  could  die  with  greater  appear- 
ance of  a  gallant  refolution,  and  fearlcflhefs  than  he 
did,  though  before  fuppofed  a  timcrous  mart  ;  in- 
fomuch,  t'lat  the  manner  of  his  death  procured  him' 
more  applaufe  than  all  the  actions  of  his  life."  -j- 
On  the  24th  of  that  month,^  called  St.  Bartholcf^ 

mew's- 

•  Rapin,  vol.  2.  page  631. 

t  Cahniy's  abridgment,   page  99,  lot, 


[1663]      IN   NEW-ENGLAND.       353 

mew's  day,  and  act  of  parliament  took  place,  which 
ejected  all  teachers,  both  of  churches  and  fchools, 
out  of  their  places,  who  would  not  declare  their 
aifent  or  confenc  to  all  the  forms  and  ceremonies  of 
the  church  of  England.  About  2000  were  turned 
out  by  it ;  and  the  method  the  church  party  took 
to  procure  this  act,  was  fecredy  to  fomciit  diltur- 
bances  and  tumults  in  different  parts  of  England, 
and  then  to  perfuade  the  parliament  that  the  pref- 
byterians  did  it,  and  that  no  peace  could  be  hid 
with  them  till  diffenters  were  all  turned  out  of  pUce- 
And  among  thoic  fo  ejected  was  our  Mr.  Miles.  ""^ 
Upon  which  he  and  fome  of  his  friends  came  over 
to  our  country,  and  brought  their  church  records 
with  them.  And  at  Mr.  Butterworth's  houfe 
in  Rehoboth,  in  1663,  John  Miles,  elder,  James 
Brown,  Nicholas  Tanner,  Jofeph  Carpenter,  Joha 
Butterworth,  Eldad  Kingfley,  and  Benjamin  Alby^ 
joined  in  a  folemn  covenant  together. 

This  church  was  then  in  Plymouth  colony,  con-' 
ccrning  whom  Dr.  Mather  fays,  "  there  being  ma- 
ny go'od  men  among  thofc — I  do  not  know  that 
they  have  been  ferfecuted  with  any  harder  means, 
than  thofe  of  kind  conferences  to  reclaim  them.*'-{- 
I  fuppofe  it  was  fo  for  fome  ye^rs,  and  that  becaufc 
Mr.  Newman,  who  perfecuted  Mr.  Holmes,  died 
this  year  ;  but  four  years  after  I  find  it  thus  re- 
corded, viz.  "  At  the  court  holden  at  Plymouth 
the  2d  of  July,  1667,  before  Thomas  Prince,  go-  .' 
vernor,  John  Alden,  Joliah  Winllow,  1  liomas 
Southworth,  William  Bradford,  Thomas  Hinck- 
ley, Nathaniel  Bacon,  and  John  Freeman,  r^fH'- 
tants— Mr.  Miles,  and  Mr.  Brown,  for  their  bi  each 
df  order,  in  fetting  up  of  a  public  meeting  with- 
Y    y  out 

*  Ibid.  p.   17S — 181.  and  vol.  2,  p.  731, 
t  iMaguaiia,  iiook  1,  p.,  14. 


354      HISTORY  of  tKe  fiAPTlSTS? 

out  the  knowledge  and  approbation  of  the  cotirf^ 
to  the  diflurbance  of  the  peace  of  the  pU.Gc,  aFc 
iined  each  of  them  5I  and  Mr.  Tanner  the  fum  of 
il.  and  we  judge  that  then'  continuance  at  Ileho- 
both,  being  very  prejudicial  to  the  peace  of  that 
church  and  that  town,  may  not  be  allowed  ;  and 
do  therefore  order  all  perfons  concerned  therein, 
wholly  to  defiftfrom  the  faid  meeting  in  that  place 
or  towndiip,  within  this  month.   Yet  in  cafe  they 
fliriU  remove  their  meeting  imtofome  other  place, 
where  they  may  not  prejudice  any  other  church, 
and  fliall  give  us  any  reaionable  fatisfaclion  refpec- 
ting  their  principles,  we  know  not  but  they  may 
be  permitted  by  this  government  fo  to  do."    And 
it  was  no  longer  than  the  30th  of  October  follow- 
ing, before  the  court  made  them  an  ample  grant 
of  Wannamoifet  which  they  called  Swanz^y.     Ir 
then  included  what  is  now  Warren  and  Barring- 
ton,  and  the  diftricl  of  Shawomet,  as  well  as  the 
prefent  town  of  Swanzey.  *     There  they  made  a 
3"egular  fettlement, which  has  contmued  to  this  day. 
The  families  alfo  of  Luther,  Cole,  Cowen,  Whca-^ 
ton,  Martin,  Barnes,  Thurber,  Bozworth,  Mafon, 
Child  and   others,  which  are  numerous  in  thofe 
parts,  fprang  from  the  early  planters  of  that  town 
and  church.     There  firft  meeting-houfe  was  built 
a  little  weft  of  Kelly*s-ferry,  againft  Warren,  but 
Mr.  Miles  fettled  the  weft  lide  of  the  great  bridge 
which  ftill  bears  his  name. 

C  H  A  P. 

*  Plymouth  records. — N'ote,tht*  town  was  named  onMaichif?, 
1667-8,  w'hea  by  miftake  the  firft  grant  is  dated,  in  Swanzey 
town  records  ;  but  the  above  1  touis  from  ihe  euifrt  iccmdt 
at  Plyrnouch. 


[1665]       IN  NEW-ENGLAND.       355 


CHAP.  VI. 

An  account  of  the  coiiftitution  of  the  iirfl 
baptift  church  in  Bofton,  in  1665,  and 
of  their  fulFerings  down  to   1675. 


M 


R.  Hubbard  fays,  "  As  fome  were  ftudying; 
how  baptifm  might  be  enlarged  and  extend- 
ed to  the  feed  of  the  faithful  in  their  feveral  gene- 
rations, there  were  others  as  ftudious  to  deprive  all 
iinaduit  children  thereof,  and  to  reflrain  the  privi- 
lege only  to  adult  believers."  And  Ur.  Mather, 
after  confefling  that  very  odious  and  unjuft  things 
had  been  publifhed  againft  anabaptifts  ever  lince 
Luther's  time,  fays,  "  Infant  baptifm  hath  been 
fcrupled  by  multitudes  in  our  day>  who  have  been 
in  orher  points  moft  worthy  chriftians,  and  as  holy, 
^hatchful,  fruitful  and  heavenly  people  as  perhaps 
any  in  the  world.  Some  few  of  thefe  people  have 
been  among  the  planters  of  New-Englandy>-ow  the 
heginning^  and  have  been  welcome  to  the  commu- 
nion of  our  churches,  referving  their  particular  o- 

pinion  unto  themfelves At  lad  fbme  of  our 

churches  ufed,  it  may  be,  a  little  too  much  cogency 
towards  the  brethren,  who  would  weakly  turn 
their  backs  when  infants  were  brought  forth  to  be 
baptized."  *  Twenty  years  before  Mr.  Cobbet  had 
•ailed  their  fo  doings  a  pophane  trick  :  And  what 

their 

•  Magnolia ,  Book  7.  p.  27.  Seth  Sweetfer,  who  came 
•ver  to  Cnarlcftown  in  1638,  fioai  Tring  in  Hardfordfhire,  was 
one  of  thofe  early  baptifls,  I  find  by  the  records  that  he  was  re- 
ceived a  free  man  that  year.  His  fon  Benjamin  was  long  a  ufe- 
ful  member  of  the  baptift  church  in  Bofton,  and  he  has  left  a  nu- 
merous pofterity,  cne  of  whom  has  been  School-Maftsr  and 
Tgwa-Clerk  in  Charkftowo  for  fundry  years  puft. 


25^      HISTORY  of  the  BAPTISTS 

th°ir  dealings  were,  which  are  here  covered  under 
the  obfcure  term  cogency,  will  preiently  befeen. 
It  was  luch  that  a  number  drew  off  and  met  by 
themiclves  in  Charleitown,  till  on  May  28th, 
3665,  Thomas  Gould,  Thomas  Ofburne,  Edward 
Drinker,  and  John  George,  were  baptized,  and 
jointed  with  Richard  Gocdall,  William  Turner, 
R-obert  Lambert,  Mary  Goodall,  and  Mary  Newel, 
*'  in  a  folemn  covenant,  in  the  name  of  the  Lord 
Jefus  Chrift,  to  walk  in  fellowlhip  and  com- 
munion together,  in  the  practice  of  all  the 
holy  appointments  of  Chrift,  which  he  had,  or 
fhould  further  make  known  to  them."  Goodall 
came  recommended  from  Mr.  Kiflen's  church  in 
London  ;  Turner  and  Lambert  from,  Mr.  Stead's 
church  in  Dartmouth,  having  been  regular  walk- 
ers in  the  baptift  order  before  they  came  to  this 
country.  Gould  and  Ofburne  feparated  from  the 
church  in  Chiilefiown  ;  Drinker  and  George  had 
lived  many  years  in  this  country,  but  had  not  join- 
ed to  any  of  their  churches.  * 

1'h  e  king's  commiflioners  being  here,  caufed  the 
court  not  to  lay  hold  of  thefe  people  fo  foon  as  o- 
therwife  they  might  have  done.  But  in  Auguft  a 
note  was  entered  in  Roxbury  church  records,  and 
pubiifhed  in  an  Almanack,  which  has  been  com- 
Tnunicated  to  me  in  thefe  words,  "  The  anabaptifts 
gathered  themfelves  into  a  church,  prophelied  one 
by  one,  and  fome  one  among  them  adminiftered 
tke  Lord  s-fupper  after  he  was  regularly  excommu- 
nicated by  the  church  at  Charleftown,  they  alfo  fet 
up  a  lecture  at  Drinker's  houfe  once  a  fortnight." 
As  great  noife  was  made  about  their  receiving  ex- 
communicate members  and  oflicers,  it  is  proper  to 
give  that  matter  a  diftincl  confideration  here.  Dr. 
Mather  tells  of  this  church  being  formed,  "  not  on- 

*  Their  church  records— RufTeli's  narratirc,  p.  i,  z,        * 


[1665]      IN  NEW-ENGLAND.       357 

ly  with  a  manifeft  violation  of  the  laws  in  the  com- 
mon-wealth, relating  to  che  orderly  manner  of  ga- 
thering a  church,  but  alfo  with  a  manifold  provo- 
cation unto  the  reft  of  our  churches,  by  admitting 
into  their  own  fociety  fuch^as  our  churches  had 
excommunicated  for  moral  fcandah^  yea,  and  em- 
ploying fuch  perfons  to  be  adminiftrators  of  the  twp 
facraments  among  them.'*  * 

They  would  thus  reprefent  as  the'  that  church 
had  many  fuch  members  and  officers,  whereas  in 
fifteen  years, among  fourfcorc  baptift  members,they 
have  not  named  but  four  excommunicate  ptrfons, 
and  but  one  of  them  an  officer,  viz.  Thomas  Gould, 
who  with  Thomas  Ofburne  were  of  the  firft  mem- 
bers ;  and  as  the  impartial  reader  would  be  willing 
to  hear  both  fides  upon  it,  1  will  gi\'^e  him  their 
flory  in  their  own  words. 

Mr.  Samuel  Willard  of  Bofton,  who  wrote  a- 
gainftthis  church,faysofThomasGould,"  1  Though 
he  was  firft  called  to  an  account  about  withold- 
ing  his  child  from  baptifm,  yet  that  was  not  the 
reafon  of  his  being  admonifhed,  nor  becauie  he 
could  not  be  convinced  of  error  ;  nor  yet  did  the 
church  proceed  to  admonition,  till  fuch  time  as 
he  (not  only  fpake  contemptuoufly  and  ineligi- 
oully  of  the  emptinefs  and  nullity  of  that  ordi- 
nance, but  alfo)  ufed  unbecoming  geftures  in  tJic 
time  of  adminiftration,  of  which  (being  afked  ti\  i 
reafon)  he  (before  the  congregation)  ackriov^- 
ledged  they  were  to  caft  difrcfpecl  upon  it :  -t  - 
then  neither  till  after  much  patience.  2  At  h'<» 
.firft  admonition  he  was  not  fententially  fulpe-d-- 
ed,  but  only  defired,  for  preventing  of  the  ofTe-":  : 
of  fome,  to  abftain  from  coming  to  the  oth:r  fii- 
cramert.  3  Upon  this»  Thomas" Gould   took  up  a 

trade 
*  Magnalia,  Book  7.  p.  27, 


358      HISTORY  OF  the  BAPTISTS 

trade  of  abfentinsj  himfelf  from  the  meetings  of  the 
church  to  worfhip  God  on  the  fabbath,  which 
jnade  a  new  offence.  4  The  church  in  much  ten- 
dernefs  waited  upo:t  hjm,  and  proceeded  not  to 
excommunication,  but  tried  with  admonition  up- 
on admonition,  and  that  by  the  fpace  ot  fevcn  or 
eight  years  :  nor  was  he  excommunicated,  till 
(having  left  his  own)  he  joined  to  another  fociety, 
without  the  churches  leave,  or  once  afking  it  : 
and  now  alfo  being  twice  fent  for  by  the  church, 
he  djfclaimed  their  authority  over  him.  5  Tho- 
inasGould  did  not  leave  the  church  atCharlellown 
on  the  account  of  the  anabaptiils  nev/  church  (as 
is  pretended)  but  had  many  years  before  renounc- 
ed his  fubmifHoR  to  that  church.  6  He  did  (while 
under  admonition)  neglect  public  worlhip,  and 
gather  a  private  meeting  on  the  fabbath  to  his 
houfc.  7  He  did  wickedly  flight  the  admonition 
of  the  church,  declaring  that  they  had  by  it,  dif* 
charged  him  of  all  relation  to  them. 

*'  For  Thomas  Ofburne  ;  the  churches  pro- 
ceedings with  him  were  with  the  hke  patience  as 
to  Thomas  Gould  :  only  it  is  to  be  obferved,  that 
Iiis  firfl  offence  was  this  ;  whereas  it  is  one  thing 
which  church-members  engage  to  upon  admiflion 
to  walk  with  the  church  in  conllant  attendance 
upon  public  worfhip,  he  (without  notifying  any 
offence)  did  withdraw  and  feparate,  frecjuenting 
tAofefchifmatic  meetings atGould's  on  the  fabbath ; 
this  was  the  offence,  nor  did  he  when  firft  dealt 
with  pretend  any  diflike  of  infant  baptifm,  but 
that  the  church  gave  no  liberty  to  private  brethren 
to  prophefie,  that  they  limited  the  miniflry  to 
learned  men,  and  that  he  did  not  find  his  own  fpi- 
rit  free  to  come  ;  though  afterwards  he  fpake  both 
of  that,  and  of  their  feverity  to  the  Quakers,  though 

that 


[1663]       IK  NEW.ENGLAND.      ^s^ 

that  church  meddled  not  with  them,  but  to  preach 
againll  their  errors.  In  this  practice  he  contuma* 
cioully  perfifted  many  years,  denying  himlelf  to 
be  Ibbjec't  to  that  church,  or  bound  to  affemble 
with  them,  flighting  many  admonitions  ;  and  af- 
terwards (with  Thomas  Gould)  went  off  to,  and  be- 
came a  worthy  pillar  of  an  anabaptift  church/'f 
This  is  the  pedobabtilVs  ftory ;  Mr.  Gould  has 
given  us  his  in  the  words  following. 

"  It  having  been  along  time  a  fcnipk  to  me  a- 
bout  infant  baptifm,  God  was  pleafed  at  laft  to 
make  it  clear  to  me  by  the  rule  of  the  gofpel,  that 
children  were  not  capable  nor  iit  fubjeds  for  fuch 
an  ordinance,  becaufe  Chrift  gave  this  commifTion 
to  his  apoftU  s,  lirft  to  preach,  to  make  them  dis- 
ciples, and  then  to  baptize  them,  which  infants 
were  not  capable  of;  fo  that  1  durft  not  bring  forih 
my  child  to  be  partaker  of  it  ;  fo  looking  that  my 
child  had  no  right  to  it,  which  was  in  the  year 
1655  when  the  Lord  ^^ras  pleafed  to  give  me  a 
child  •,  I  (laid  fome  fpace  of  time  and  faid  nothing 
to  fee  what  the  church  would  do  with  me.  On  a 
third  day  of  the  week  when  there  was  a  meetinrj 
at  my  houfe,  to  keep  a  day  of  thankfgiving  to 
God  for  his  mercy  Ihown  to  my  wife,  ar  that  time 
one  coming  to  the  meeting,  brought  a  note  from 
the  elders  of  the  church  to  this  eftect,  that  they  de- 
fired  me  to  come  down  on  the  morrow  to  the  el- 
ders houfe,  and  to  fend  word  again  what  time  of 
that  day  I  would  come,  and  they  would  flay  at 
home  for  me  ;  and  if  I  could  not  come  that  day 
to  fend    them  word.     I    looking    on   the  writ- 


finihrcf,  anfw:r  to  Rvjfdl,  p.  13.  14-  Nf^^^'  Richard 
Ruirdl.fays  one  of  thf  ir  magi  Urates,  was  h  msrnbir  ofChaiUfto^va 
tfliurch,  and  did  not  he  ad  agaiaft  the  Quakers  i 


36o      HISTORY  of  the  BAPTISTS 

ing  with  many  friends  with  me,  I  told  them  I 
had  promil'ed  to  go  another  way  on  the  morrow. 
Mailer  Dunftan*  being  prefent  defired  me  to  fend 
them  word,  that  I  could  not  come  on  the  morrow, 
bnt  that  I  would  come  any  other  time  that 
they  would  appoint  me  ;  and  fo  I  fent  word  back 
by  the  fame  meffenger.  The  fifth  day,  meeting 
with  elder  Green  I  told  him  how  it  was  ;  he  told 
me  it  was  well,  and  that  they  would  appoint  ano- 
ther day  when  he  had  fpoken  with  the  paftor, 
and  then  they  would  fend  me  word.  This  lay  a- 
bout  two  months,  before  I  heard  any  more  from 
them.  On  a  fii  ft  day  in  the  afternoon  one  told  me 
I  muft  flop  for  the  church  would  fpeak  with  me. 
They  called  me  out,  and  mafler  Sims  told  the 
church,  that  this  brother  did  withhold  his  child 
from  baptifm,  and  that  they  had  fent  unto  him  to 
come  down  on  fuch  a  day  to  fpeak  with  them,  and 
if  he  could  not  come  on  that  day  to  fet  a  day 
when  he  would  beat  home,  but  he  refufmgtocome, 
would  appoint  jio  time,  when  we  writ  to  him  to 
take  his  own  time,  and  fend  us  word. 

"  I  RE  PL  7  ED,  That  there  was  no  fuch  word  in 
the  lettc]',  for  m  e  to  appoint  the  day  ;  l)ut  what 
time  that  day  I  fhould  come.  iMr.  Sims  ftood  up 
and  told  me,  I  aid  lie,  for  they  fent  to  me  to  ap- 
point the  day.  I  replied  again  that  there  was  no 
iuch  thing  in  the  letter.  He  replied  again,  that 
they  did  not  fet  down  a  time,  and  not  a  day, 
therefore  he  told  me  it  was  a  lie,  and  that  they 
would  leave  my  judgement,  and  deal  with  me  for 
a  lie  ;  and  told  the  "^churcli  that  he  and  the  elder 
agreed  to  write,  that  if  I  could  not  come  that  day, 
to  appoint  the  time  when  I  could  come,  and  that 
he  read  it,  after   the  elder  writ  it,  and  the  elder 

aiilrmcd 

•  1  fuppofe  Mr.  Henry  Dunftar> 


[r6653       in   NEWrEN  gland,       361 

afHrmed  it  was  fo,  but  I  ftill  replied,  there  \Vas  nq 
inch  thing  in  the  letter,  and  thought  I  could  pro^ 
ducc  the  letter.  They  bid  rpe  let  them  fee  the 
letter,  or  they  woi^ld  proceed  againft  me  for  a  lie. 
BrotherThomas Wilder,  fitting  before  me,  flood  up 
and  told  thein,  that  it  wa;?  fo  in  the  letter  as  I  faid, 
for  he  read  it  when  it  came  to  me.  But  they 
anfwered,  it  was  not  fo,  and  bid  hini  prgduce  the 
letter,  or  they  would  proceed  with  nae.  He  faid, 
I  think  I  can  produce  the  letter,  and  forthwith, 
took  it  out  of  his  pocket,  which  I  wondered  at  ^ 
and  I  delired  hinj  to  give  It  to  Mr.  R.uffell  to  read,^ 
and  fo  he  did,  and  he  read  it  very  fliithfully,  and 
it  was  juft  as  I  had  faid,  that  I  n)u{|:  fend  thenii 
word  what  time  of  that  d^y  i  would  come  downr 
fo  that  their  mouths  were  Hoped,  and  mafter  Sims 
put  it  off,  and  faid  he  was  miilaken,  for  he  thought 
he  had  read  it  otherwife  ;  but  t:he  elder  fayed,  thii$ 
is  nothing,  let  us  proceed  with  hini  for  hi."?  judg- 
ment. Now  let  any  man  judge  what  a  fair  begin-r 
ning  this  was,  and  if  yqu  wait  a  while  yqu  may 
fee  as  fair  an  pndlng.  They  called  rnc  forth  tc^ 
know  why  I  would  not  bring  my  child  to  bap- 
tifm.  But  before  I  fpeak  to  thjt,  pbferve  the  pro- 
vidence of  God  in  the  carriage  of  this  letter^ 
Brother  Wilder  was  with  iis  when  their  letter 
come  to  my  houfe,  and  after  Mr.  Duniian  had 
read  it,  he  gave  it  to  b^Qther  Wilder,  and  he  put 
it  into  his  pocket,  and  it  lay  there  eight  pr  pine 
week's,  till  that  day,  I  \yas  called  forth,  going  a. 
good  fpace  from  his  houfe,  finding  it  too  cold  tQ 
go  in  the  clothes  he  had  on,  rcturne4  arain  an4 
j)ut  on  another  pair  of  breeches  Nvhich  were  wa'rmr 
er,  and  when  he  had  fo  donc^  put  his  hand  intQ 
his  pocket  to  fee  if  he  had  any  paper  tp  write  v/ith^ 
md  there  f©und  that  letter,  and  put  it  in  agair^. 


362      HISJORY  OF  TKE  BAPTISTS 

and  went  to  meeting,  yet  not  knowing  what  would 
be  done  that  day  concerning  me.  God  had  fo  ap- 
pointed it,  to  ftop  their  iirece  proceedings  againft 
ine  for  a  lie,  whicii  they  fought  to  take  me  in. 
Then  afking  mc  why  1  did  not  bring  my  child  to 
baptifm,  my  anfwer  was,  I  did  not  fee  any  rule  of 
Clirift  for  it,  for  that  ordinance  belongs  to  fuch  as 
can  make  profeflion  of  their  faith,  as  the  fcripture 
doth  plainly  hold  forth. —  I'hey  anfwered  me, 
that  was  ment  of  grown  perfons  and  not  of  chil- 
dren :  but  that  which  was  moft  allcdged  by  them 
was,  that  children  were  capable  of  circumciCon  in 
the  time  of  the  law,  and  therefore  as  capable  ia 
the  time  of  the  gofpel  of  baptifm  ;  and  alked  mc 
why  children  were  not  to  be  baptized  in  the  time  of 
the  gofpel,  as  well  as  children  were  circumcifed  in 
thz  time  of  the  law  ?  My  anfwer  was,  God  gave  a 
{tvict  command  in  the  law  for  the  circumcifion  of 
children  ;  but  we  have  no  command  in  the  gof- 
pel, nor  example,  for  the  baptizing  of  children. 
Many  other  things  were  fpoken,  then  a  meeting 
was  appointed  by  the  church  the  next  week  at 
Mr   Ruffel's. 

"  BsiNG  met  at  Mr.  Ruffers  houfe,  Mr.  Sims 
took  a  writing  out  of  his  pocket  wherein  he  had 
drawn  up  many  arguments  for  infants  baptifm, 
and  told  the  church  that  I  mull  anfwer  thofe  ar- 
guments, which  I  fuppofe  he  had  drawn  from 
{omt  author  ;  and  told  me  I  muft  keep  to  thofe 
arguments.  My  anfv/er  was,  I  thought  the  church 
had  met  together  to  anfwer  my  fcruples,  and  to 
fatisfy  my  confcience  by  a  rule  of  God,  and  not 
for  me  to  anfwer  his  waiting.  He  faid  he  had 
drawn  it  up  for  the  help  of  his  memory,  and  de- 
fired  we  might  go  on.  Then  I  requefted  three 
tllungs  of  theia.     ill  That  they  iliculd  not  maks 


fi665]      IN   NEW-EN  GLAND.      3^3 

me  offender  for  a  word.  2d.  They  fliould  not 
drive  me  fafter  than  I  was  able  to  go.  3d.  That 
if  any  prefent  (hould  fee  caufe  to  clear  up  any- 
thing that  is  Ipoken  by  me,  tiicy  might  have  their 
liberty  without  offence  ;  becaule  here  are  many 
of  you  that  have  then-  liberty  to  fpeak  againft  me 
if  you  fee  caufe.  But  it  was  denied,  and  Mr. Sim's 
waspleafedto  reply,thathc  was  able  to  deal  with  me 
himfelf,  and  that  I  know  it.  So  wefpent  four  or  five 
hours  fpeaking  to  many  things  to  and  again  ;  but 
fo  hot  both  fides  that  we  quickly  forgot  and  went 
from  the  arguments  that  were  written.  At  lafc 
©ne  of  the  company  flood  up  and  faid,  I  will  give 
you  one  plain  place  of  fcripture  where  children 
were  baptized.  I  told  him  that  would  put  an  end 
to  the  controverfy.  That  place  in  the  fecond  of 
the  Acls  39th,  40th  verfes.  After  he  had  read'  the 
fcripture,  Mr,  Sims  told  me  thac  promife  belonged 
to  infants,  for  the  fcripture  laith,  The  promife  is  to 
ou  and  your  children,  and  to  all  that  ate  afar  off;  and 
fie  faid  no  more  :  to  which  I  replied,  Evenfo  raany 
-as  the  Ijord  our  God  Jhall  call.  Mr..  Sims  replied, 
that  I  fpoke  blafphemoufly  in  adding  to  the  fcrip- 
turcs.  I  faid,  pray  do  not  comdemn  me,  for  if  I 
am  deceived,  my  eyes  deceive  mc.  He  replied 
again,' 1  added  to  the  fcripture  which  was  blafphe- 
fny.  I  looking  into  my  bible  read  the  words  again, 
and  faid  it  was  fo.  He  replied  the  fame  words  the 
third  time  before  the  church.  Pvir.RufTell  ftood  up 
and  told  him  it  was  fo  as  1  had  read  it.  Ay,it  may 
be  fo  in  your  bible,  faith  Mr.Sims.  Mr.  RufiTcIl  anf- 
wxred,  yea  in  yours  too  if  you  will  look  into  it> 
Tiicn  he  faid  he  was  miflaken,  for  he  thought  on. 
another  place;  fo  after  many  other  words  v/e  broke 
^p  for  that  time. 
**  At  another  meeting  the  church  required  me 

f 


I 


^^4      falSTOIlY  or  the  feAt»TISTJ$ 

to  bring  oiit  my  child  to  baptifm.  I  trtld  them  I 
duilt  not  eld  it,  for  I  did  not  fee  any  tule,  for  it  in 
the  \vord  of  God.  I'Jicy  brought  matly  places  of 
fcripturc  in  the  old  aiid  hew  teftinient,  as  circum- 
tiiion  arid  the  proniile  to  Abraham,  and  that  chil- 
dren were  holy,  and  they  were  difciplcs.  But  I 
told  thcrii  that  111!  thefe  plates  rnade  nothing  for 
infants  baptifrtl  Thcil  rtood  up  W.  D.  in  the 
thuixh  and  laid,  Put  him  in  the  court  !  Fut  him  in  the 
court  !  Biit  Mr.  !5ims  anfv\'ered,  I  pray  forbear  fuch 
words  ;  but  it  proved  Ib^  for  prefehtly  after  they 
jpbt  nie  in  the  coiirt,  and  put  nie  in  fevcn  or  eight 
C(3urts,\vliiirt  they  looked  upOn  me  to  be  a  member 
bf  tlicir  church;  The  elder  prelled  the  church  to  lay 
nlfe  under  admonition,  which  the  cliurch  was  back* 
ward  to  do.  Afterwards  1  went  out  at  the  fprink- 
Jing  of  childferl  which  was  ^  great  trouble  to  fome 
honefl  hearts, and  they  told  nie  of  it.  But  I  told  them 
I  could  not  ftay,forI  lookt  upon  it  is  no  ordinance 
of  Chrifti  They  told  me  thit  now  I  had  made 
knpwn  my  judgment  I  might  ftay,  for  they  know 
1-did  not  jom  \Vith  them.  So  I  flayed  and  fat 
down  iri  mv  feat  when  they  were  at  prayer  and 
admlniftrint^  th<it  fervice  to  infants.  Then  they 
dealt  with  ine  for  riny  ui^.^'everent  carriage- — one 
ilood  up  and  accufed  nie,  that  1  floped  my  ears  ; 
but  I  denied  It. 

"  At  another  itiee'ting  they  afked  mcif  I  would 
fiifTcr  thfc  church  to  fetch  my  child  and  baptize  it  ? 
I  -.mfwercd,  if  they  would  fetch  my  child  and  doit 
as  their  own  act  they  might  do  it  ;  but  when  they 
Should  bring  trly  cliild  I  would  make  known  to  the 
congregation  that  I  had  no  hand  in  it :  then  fome 
of  tjic  church  were  againft  doing  of  it.  A  brother 
flood  up  and  faid,  Brotlier  Gould,  vou  were  once 
for  childrens  baptifm,  why  are  you  lallen  from  it  \ 


t:i565]       i»  NEW-EN GLAND.      3^5 

I  anfwered,  It  Is  true,  and  I  fuppofeyomwcre  once 
for  croffing  in  baptiim,  why  are  you  fallen  from 
that  ?  the  man  was  filent  :  But  Mr.  Sims  ftood 
up  in  a  great  heat,  and  defircd  the  church  to  take 
notice  of  it,  that  I  compared  the  ordinance  of 
Chrill  to  the  crofs  in  baptifm  !  this  was  one  of  the 
great  offeaces  they  dealt  with  me  for.  After  this 
the  deputy  governor  *  meeting  me  in  Bofton, 
called  me  to  him  and  faid,  Goodman  Gould,  I  de- 
fire  you  that  you  would  let  the  church  baptize 
your  child.  1  told  him  that  if  the  church  would 
do  it  upon  their  own  account  they  Ihould  do  it, 
but  I  durll  not  bring  out  my  child.  So  he  called 
to  Mrs.  Norton  of  Charleftown  and  prayed  her  to 
fetch  Goodman  Gould's  child  and  baptize  it.  So 
fhefpake  to  them,  but  not  rightly,  informing  them, 
fiie  gave  them  to  underftand  that  I  would  bring 
out  my  child.  They  called  me  out  again  and  aik- 
ed  me  if  1  would  bring  forth  my  child  ?  I  told 
them  no,  I  durll  not  do  it,  for  I  fee  no  rule  for  it. 
One  of  the  brethren  ftood  up  and  faid.  If  I  would 
not  let  my  child  pertake  of  one  ordinance,  it  was 
tneet  I  fliould  not  pertake  of  the  other  ;  fo  many 
of  the  church  concluded  to  lay  me  under  admo- 
nition ;  but  before  they  did  it  Mr.  Sims  told  me, 
it  was  more  according  to  rule  for  me  to  \vithdraw 
from  the  ordinance,  than  for  them,  to  put  mc  by ; 
bringing  that  place  of  fcripturc,  //  thou  bring  thy 
gift  to  the  alter  ^  and  there  rs  me  nib  ere/i  that  thy  brother 
hath  ought  againjl  thee,  leave  there  thy  offering  and  be 
reconciled  jirjl  to  thy  brother.  But  I  told  them, 
I  did  not  know  that  my  brother  ha«f,i  any  thing 
juftly  againft  me  ;  for   they  had  not  fhewn  mc 

any 

♦  Mr.  Belllngham,  who  was  chief  governor,  when  Mt.  Gculd 


^66      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 


any  rule  of  Chfift  that  I  had  broken, therefore  durft 
not  witiidraw  froin  that  ordinance  that  I  had 
found  fo  mucii  otGcd  in;  but  it  they  would  put  me 
by  I  hoped  God  would  feed  my  foul  another  way. 
So  they  proceeded  to  admonition.  Elder  Green  * 
faid,  Brother  Gould  you  are  to  take  notice  that 
you  arc  admoniihed  for  three  tilings  ;  the  tirit  is, 
that  you  refuted  to  bring  your  cliild  to  be  baptiz- 
ed ;  the  Iccond  is,  for  your  contentious  words, 
and  unreverent  carriage  in  the  time  of  that  ordi- 
nance ;  the  third  is,  for  a  Jate  lie  you  told,  and 
therefore  you  are  to  take  notice,  that  you  are  not 
to  pertake  any  more  of  the  ordinance  of  Chrift 
with  us,  till  you  give  fatisfactiorj  for  theie  things. 
But  when  that  late  lie  was  told  I  know  not,  ex- 
cept it  was  when  the  letter  w-as  found  in  brother 
Wilder's  pocket.  This  admonition  was  between 
feven  and  eight  years  before  they  call  me  out. 
After  this  I  went  to  Cambridge  meeting,  which 
was  as  near  to  my  houfe  as  the  other  ;  upon  that 
they  put  me  into  the  court,  that  I  did  not  come 
to  hear  ;  but  many  fatisfied  the  court  that  I  did 
come  conftantly  to  Cambridge  ;  fo  they  cleared 
me.  Then  the  church  called  me  to  account  and 
dealt  with  me  for  Ichifm,  that  I  rent  from  the 
church.  I  told  them,  I  did  not  rend  from  them, 
for  they  put  me  away.  Mafter  Sims  was  very 
earnell  for  another  admomition  for  fchifm,  which 
moft  of  th«  church  were  againil  ;  but  it  fcems 
hefet  it  down  for  an  admonition  on  a  bit  of  pa- 
per- This  continued  for  a  long  time  before  they 
called  me  out  again.  In  the  mean  time,  I  had 
fome  friends  who  came  to  me  out  of  old  England, 

who 

♦  Mr.  Green  as  I  t^ke  ir,  was  ruling  elder  ;  Mr,    Zechariah 
Sims,  '.vas  teaching  elder. 


[1665]       IN  NEW-ENGLAND.       36; 

who  were  baptifts,  and  defired  to  meet  at  my  houfe 
of  a  firil  day,  which  I  graiued  :  Of"  thefe  was  my- 
lelf,  my  wife  and  Thomas  Offjurne,  thacwere  of 
their  church.  Afterward  they  Cd\U:d  me  forth 
and  aiked  why  I  kept  the  mt^^ting  in  private  on 
the  Lord's  day,  and  did  aoi  come  to  the  pubhc  ? 
My  linfwer  w  1:?,  I  know  uot  wnac  reafon  the  church 
had  to  call  me  forth.  They  Miked  me  if  i  was  not ' 
a  rajiub-T  of  that  church  ?  \  toid  .hem  they  had 
not  acted  towird  me  as  a  member,  wlio  had  put 
me 'by  the  o*  iinancc?  of  Chrift  {'even  year:?  at^o— «. 
they  liad  d?nied  me  the  privileges  of  a  member, 
Ihey  aiked  whether  I  looked  upon  adnA.oriitiou  as 
an  ,tppointment  of  Chrift  ?  I  told  them,  yes,  but 
not  to  lie  un  ier  it  above  feven  years,  and  to  ;>e 
put  by  the  ordinances  of  Chrift  in  the  church  ; 
for  the  rule  of  Chirft  is  ftrft  to  deal  with  men  in 
the  firft  and  in  the  fecond  place,  and  then  in  the 
third  place  before  the  church  ;  but  the  firft  time 
that  ever  they  dealt  with  me,  they  called  me  be- 
fore the  whole  church.  Many  meetings  we  had 
about  this  thing,  whether  T  was  a  member  or  not, 
but  could  come  to  no  conclulion  ;  for  I  ftill  af- 
firmed tliat  their  aclin^l;s  rendered  me  no  member* 
Then  Mr.  Sims  told  the  church  that  1  was  jpe 
for  excommunication,  and  was  very  earneft  for  it; 
but  the  church  would  not  confent-  1  hen  I  de- 
fired  that  we  might  fend  to  other  churches  for 
their  help  to  hear  the  thing  betwixt  us  ;  but  rnaf- 
ter  Sims  made  me  this  anfwer.  We  are  a  church 
of  Chrift  ourfelves.  and  you  fhall  know  that  we 
have  power  to  deal  with  ycui  ourfelves.  Then 
faia  Ml.  RufTell,  We  have  not  gone  the  right  way 
to  gain  this  our  brother,  for  we  have  dealt  too 
harfaly  wirh  him.  V>nt  Hiill  ma ''^■'  Sims  prefTed 
ths  church   to  excommuoicate  me.     Mr.  RulTeU 

faid 


368       HISTOHY  OF  the  BAPTISTS 

faid.  There  were  greater  errors  in  the  church  in 
the  apoftles  time  and  yci  they  did  not  fo  deal  with 
them.  Mr.  Sims  afked  liim  what  they  were  I 
He  faid,  How  /ay  foms  of  you  thai  there  is  no  rejiir- 
r^dion  of  the  dead?  Mr.  Sims  was  troubled  and 
faid,  I  wonder  you  -^vi]l  bring  this  place  <:ii  fcrip- 
tijrc  to  encourage  him  in  liis  error  I  Mr.  Sims  was 
earneft  for  another  admonition  ;  then  flood  up 
Solomon  Phips  and  faid,  you  may  clap  one  ad" 
monition  on  him  upon  another,  but  to  v/hat  end^ 
for  he  was  admonifhed  about  fev^en  years  ago  ? 
Mr.  Sims  faid,  Brother!  do  you  make- fuch  a  lightj 
matter  of  admonition,  to  fay,  Clap  them  one  upon 
another  i  doth  not  the  apolHe  fay,  After  the  firfi 
and  fecond  admozaidon  r'yect  an  heretick  \  there^ 
fore  there  might  be  a  fecond  admonition.  ]t  was 
anfwercd,  it  was  a  hard  matter  to  prove  a  man  an 
heretic,  for  evtry  error  doth  not  make  a  man  ^ 
heretic.  Mr.  Sims  faid,  it  was  not  fevrn  years 
ago.,  nor  above  three  fmce  I  was  admonitlicd,  and 
that  was  for  fchifm.  A  brother  replied  and  faid, 
it  was  feven  years  flnc^  1  was  aduionilhed.  On 
that  there  wasfome  difference  in  the  church  what 
I  was  admoriflicd  for,  Mr.  Sims  then  pulled  a 
bit  of  paper  out  of  his  pocket  and  foid,.  This  is 
that  he  was  admonifhed  for,  and  that  was  but.  thre« 
years  iince.  Brother  Phips  afkcd  him  when  thafi 
paper  was  writ,  for  lie  never  heard  of  that  admoni^ 
tioix  before  ?  He  anfwereid,  he  let  it  down  for  his 
ewn  memory ;  then,  he  read  it-,,  that  it  was  fos 
fchifm.,  and  rending  from  the  church.  I  told  hira 
I  did  not  rend  from  the  church,  but  the  church 
put.  me  away  from  them,  and.  that  was  four  years 
before  tliis.  Then  there  w?.s  much  aggitatioa 
when  the  admonition  was  given,  and  what.it  wa^ 
for  ?  And  this  was  all  the  church  records  tha$ 

cwld 


liUs']       IN  NEW-ENGLAND*       3^^ 

vrould  be  found,  which  was  about  feveii  years  after, 
the  admonition  was  given  ;  fo  after  many  words? 
we  broke  up,  which  was  the  lail  time  wc  met  to* 
2;ether.  Now  let  any  man  judge  of  the  church 
records  that  were  drawn  up  againft  me,  and  read 
at  the  difpute  in  Bofton,  which  contained  three  or 
four  fheets  of  paper;  read  by  Mr.  Shepard,  *  and 
drawn  up  by  him,  a  Uttle  while  before  the  difpute, 
who  was  not  an  eye  nor  ear  witnefs  to  the  chur-* 
chcs  adings,  not  above  half  the  time. 

"  Now  after  this,  confidering  with  myfe''f  what; 
the  Lord  would  have  me  to  do  ;  not  likely  to  joii> 
with  any  of  the  churches  of  New-England  ^^y 
more,  and  (o  to  be  without  the  ordinances  o£ 
Chrift  ;  in  the  mean  time  God  fent  out  of  Old 
England  who  were  baptills  ;  we  confulting  toge- 
ther what  to  do.  fought  the  Lord  to  direcf  us, 
and  taking  eounfel  of  other  fiiends  who  dwelt 
among  us,  who  were  able  and  godly,  they  gave  u$ 
eounfel  to  congregate  ourfelves  together;  audio 
we  did,  being  nine  of  us,  to  walk  in  the  order  of 
the  gc?fpel  according  to  the  rale  of  Chrift,  yefc , 
knowing  that  is  was  a  breach  of  the  laM^  of  this 
country  ;  that  we  had  not  the  approbation  of 
jnagiftrates  and  minifters,  for  that  we  fuffered  the 
penalty  of  that  law,  when  we  were  called  before 
them.  After  we  had  been  called  into  one  or  twQ 
courts,  the  church  imdcrltandipg  that  we  wer« 
gathered  into  church  order,  thpy  {^nt  three  mef-  . 
fcngers  from  the  church  to  me,  telling  n)e  th? ' 
church  re, tired  me  to  come  before  them  the  next; 
Lord's-day.  I  replved.  The  church  had  nothing 
to  do  with  me,  for  they  had  put  me  from  theni 
eight  years  before.  They  replied,  that  they  had 
aothing  to  do  with  that,  but  were  fent  by  tlij^ 
A  a  a  chur<;h 

f_  SsatoMr.  ThowjiJ  Shepard,  focoiarly  4)£C*ai>:i<ig;«»  ^ 


570      HISTORY  of  Tift  BAPTISTS 

church  to  tell  me  it  was  the  mind  of  the  church 
to  fpeaik  with  me.  I  told  them  I  was  joined  10 
another  church,  and  that  church  was  not  willing 
I  fhould  come  to  them,  they  having  nothing  tt>  dp 
with  mc,  therefore  I  would  not  come  without  the 
churches  confent ;  then  they  departed.  The  next 
iveek  they  fent  three  melTengers  more,  who,  came 
to  my  houfe  and  told  me  that  the  church  had  fent 
them  to  require  me  to  come  to  the  church  the  ncxl 
Lord's- day  after.  I  told  them  tJrat  the  church 
had  nothing  to  do  to  require  me  to  come,  who 
had  put  me  from  them  eight  ycarj^,  and  the  church 
I  now  walked  with  would  not  let  me  come.  They 
told  me  again  that  if  I  did  not  come,  the  church 
tvould  proceed  againft  me  the  next  Lord's-day.  I 
told  them  that  I  could  not  come  for  we  Were  to 
break  bread  the  next  Lord's-day.  They  told  mc 
they  would  return  my  anfwer  to  the  church.  One 
of  them  afked  if  1  would  come  the  next  Lord's- 
day  after  ?  But  another  prefently  faid,  We  have  np^^ 
fuch  order  fiom  the  church  ;  fo  they  departed. 
The  laft  day  of  that  week  three  loving  friends  com- 
ing to  me  of  their  own  account,  one  of  them  was 
pleafcd  to  fay  to  me.  Brother  Gould,  though  you 
look  upon  it  as  unjuft  for  theuj  to  call  you  out, 
yet  there  be  many  that  are  godly  among  them 
that  will  a<fl  with  them  through  ignorance, 
vhich  will  be  a  few  of  them,  and  you  are  per. 
fuaded  I  believe  that  it  is  your  duty  to  prevent 
any  one  from  any  finful  a£t  ;  for  they  will  caft 
you  out  for  not  hearing  the  church  ;^jiow  youf 
coming  will  flop  them  from  ading  againft  you, 
and  fo  keep  many  from  that  fm.  Upon  thefe 
words  I  was  clearly  convinced  that  it  was  my  duty 
to  c;o,  and  replied,  Although  I  could  not  come  the 
I^cii  day,  yet  I  promifcd  them  that  if  1  was  aliv^ 

and 


tiS^s]       IK  NEW-ENGLAND.      371 

and  well  I  would  come  the  next  Lord's-day  If  th$ 
Lord  permit.  He  lepJicd,  What  if  the  church  I 
Was  joined  to  was  not  willing  ?  i  told  him  1  did  not 
quetlion  tha.t  any  one  would  be  ^gainlt  it  upoii 
this  ground.  Atter  1  had  propounded  it  to  the 
church,  not  one  was'  againft  it.  I  intreated  thcfe 
friends  to  make  it  known  to  the  elders  that  1  would 
come  to  them  the  next  Lord's-day  after  :  Yet  tho' 
they  knew  of  it,  they  proceeded  againft  me  that 
day,  and  delivered  me  up  to  Satan  for  not  hear- 
ing the  church." 

This  narrative  I  met  with  among  Mr.  Callen- 
der's  papers,  and  have  good  reafon  to  tliink  it 
genuine,  and  that  the  manufcript  now  in  my 
hands  was  written  above  a  hundred  years  ago^ 
which  I  have  copied  that  the  public  may  be  better 
able  to  judge  of  what  thofe  excomunications  were- 
It  appears  by  Mr.  Willard,  that  the  firft  charge 
they  had  agalnft  Mr  Ofburne,  v/?.s  his  going  to 
meeting  with  that  fchifmatical  Gould  ;  therefore, 
as  the  reader  judges  of  the  one,  fo  likely  he  will 
of  the  other.  Only  it  ought  to  be  noted,  that  tiei- 
ther  of  them  were  excommunicate  pcrfons,  when- 
they  formed  that  baptift  church,  but  had  that 
fentance  pronounced  upon  them,  and  afterwards 
for  refulmg  to  return  to  thofe,  who  had  .treated 
them  fo  ill.  And  before  that  act,  viz  on  Augult 
20,  1665.  Ric'nard  RuHLll,  Efq;  ifTucd  a  warrant 
to  the  Gonftable  of  Charlcfliown,  the  origid:ial 
whereof  is  now  befare  me,  requiring  h'im  ki  liia 
majefty's  name,  to  labour  to  difcover  where  thcfe 
people  were  affembled,  and  to  require  them  to 
attend  the  ejablijhed  worfliip,  which  if  they  re- 
fufed,  he  was  to  return  their  names  and  places  of 
abode  to  the  next  magiftratc.  In  coniet]uence 
'^'hereof  they  were  brought  before  tlie  court  of 

.  aiTiftiuts 


'jyi     HISTORY  or  tke  BAPTISTS 

fi/Tiftlnts  in  September  ;  to  wnom  they  exhibited! 
a.  confeillon  of  their  faith,  which  is  copied  inca 
thdr  records.  The  only  article  ot  which,  chat  1 
ilrid  objededagainft  is  in  thefe  words,  viz.  "  Chriii'i 
eommilhon  to  his  dilbiples  is  to  teach  anci  baptize, 
and  thole  \vho  gla^-lly  receive  the  word  and  are 
b»>pt;ized4  are  IJaints  by  calling,  and  lit  matter  for 
X^ifible' church.  This  was  complained  of  as  exclud- 
ing all  from  a  vilible  faint-lhip  but  baptized  perlbns, 
•which  we  fball  hereafter  fee  they  had  no  thought 
tfft  But  their  grand  crime  lay  in  not  obtving  the 
JruiiRg  party  in  their  religious  affairs* 

Th£  court  of  alTillants  charged  them  to  dclift 
from  what  they  called  their  Ichii'matical  practice  j 
and  becau(e  they  would  not,  the  general  court 
that  m..et  Ocl.  ii,  convented  Gould^  Turner, 
OiburnejDrinkcr  andGeorge  beforethem,  to  whom 
thcfe  baptifts  eJihibited  the  iameconfellion  as  they 
liiid  to  the  court  ofairiftants,whic]i  was  clofed  with 
ikying,  "  If  any  take  this  to  be  herefyj  then  do 
ue  with  the  apolUo  confcfs^  that  after  the  way 
uliicli  they  call  herefy,  v.'e  Svorlhip  God  the  Fa- 
ther of  our  Lord  Jelus  Chrift,  believing  all  thingi 
that  ftre  written  ia  the  law  and  the  prophets  and 
^poitles."  Which  the  court  called  a  *'  contemn* 
ing  the  atithority  and  laws  here  ef^abliilied,  for 
tlie  maintenace  of  godlincis  and  honeily,  as  well 
i3  continuing  in  the  prophanation  of  God's  holy 
ordinances  ;  (and  faid)  This  court  taking  ths 
^^'emii'es  into  their  I'ciious  confideration,  do  judge 
meet  to  dt'dare,  that  the  faid  Gcuju  and  compa- 
liy,  are  no  orderly  church  afiembly,  and  that  they 
ftand  juftly  convicted  of  high  prelunipiion  againii 
the  Lord  and  his  holy  appointment,  as  alio. the 
peace  of  this  goveinment,  againfl  wfiicli  this  court 
ioUi  account  themfelves  bound  toG.od.  Jiis  truth  an.il 
.    ^  .His 


[1665]      IN   NEW-EN  GL  AN B.      373 

his  chiirches  here  planted,  to  bear  their  teftimoBT, 
:\Tid  do  therefore  fcntence  the  laid  'I'homas  Gould, 
\Viiliam  Turner,  Thomas  Oiburne,  Kdward 
Drinker  and  John  George,  fuch  of  them  as  arc 
freemen,  to  be  dii'sfranchicdp  and  all  otthem,upoii 
conviclion  before  anv  one  mariihatc  or  court, 
of  tiieir  further  proceeding  herein,  to  be  commit- 
ted, to  prifon  until  the  general  court  fhall  take 
farther  order  with  them.  Zechariah  Rhodes,  be- 
ing in  court  when  they  were  proceeding  againll 
'J  homas  Gould  and  company,  and  faying  in  court, 
y/.>e  court  has  not  to  do  in  matters  of  religion  :  he  was 
commicted  ;  being  fent  for  he  acknowledged  hij 
fault,  declaring  he  was  forry  he  had  given  them 
offence.  The  cOwirc  judged  meet  to-  difchargc 
liim,  the  governor  giving  him  an  admonition  for 
liis  faid  oflence."  * 

Cam  any  man  believe  that  thefe  were  itieafuref 
to  promote  either  ^odlinefs  or  honefiy^  in  Rhodes, 
or  in  any  Oxie  clfe  ?  rather  did  not  the  court  take 
Jehovah*^  name  in  vain  in  this  acl !  The  foremen- 
tioned  excufc,  made  by  Dr.  Mather,  for  this 
feverity,  viz.  their  joining  , in  church  fellowlhip 
without  the  approbation  of  other  miniifers  and 
their  rulers,  fa)\s  Mr.  Ncal,  *'  condemns  all  the 
diffenting  congregations  that  have  been  gathered 
in  England,  fincc  the  act  of  uniformicy  in  the 
year  1662 — Let  the  reader  judge,  who  had  molt 
rcafon  to  complain  \  the  New-Enghmd  churches, 
who  would  neither  fuifer  the  baptiils  to  live  quiet- 
ly in  their  communion,  nor  feperatc  peacably 
from  It  ?  or  thefe  unhappyperfons who  were  treated 
fo  unkindly  for  following  the  light  of  their  con- 
fciences.'*  I   Xzt.    bccaufe  they  ilill   followed  ihat  • 

light 

•  Maff^chufc;;'*  records.  Khodes  wai'ahaptift,  buthad  been  of 
Arno4.l's  party  jitPaiauxct.  Mailachufett'shiftory.vol.3  ,p.  277, 
tN'jal'a  b;ttory  of  Ncw-iuglaad,  v»l,  i.  P.  304.,  2©5. 


374      HISTORY  0?  Tiifi  BAPTISTS 

iight,  they  were  prcfented  to  the  county  court  at 
Cambridge,  April  17,  1666,  "  for  ablenting 
theinfelves  from  the  public  worflilp.'*  And  when 
they  aflerted  chat  they  did  fteadily  attend  fuch 
worlhip,  the  forgoing  act  6f  the  aficmbly  was  pro- 
duced to  prove  th;it  it  was  not  ii>  a  lawful  way  ; 
and  Gould,  Oiburne  and  George,  were  each  of 
them  fined  foar  pounds  therefor  and  ordertd  to 
bind  thcmielves  in  a  bund  of  twenty  pounds  apiece, 
for  their  appearance  at  the  next  court  of  aflif. 
tants  ;  and  retufiDg  fo  to  do  were  commitccd  to 
prifon.  *  When  the  court  of  aiBflants  came,  they 
gave  fentance  that  they  fiiould  pay  their  iine» 
and  court  charges  ;  and  when  the  aflembly  fat  on 
Sept.  1 1,  they  ordered,  that  if  they  would  pay  the 
fame,  they  ftiould  be  fet  at  Uberty  ;  but  added 
thity  "  the  order  of  court  of  Oclober  1665,  refcr- 
sng  to  the  faid  fchifmatical  affembly,  ihall  be,  and 
hereby  is  declared  to  ftatid  in  full  force."  f  Thus 
they  went  on  from  time  to  time,  till  the  court  of 
jafliftants  at  Boflon,  March  3,  who  adjourned  t6 
^ay  I,  1668,  paffed  the  follo\^Hng  acl,  a  copy  of 
which  I  find  among  their  church  papers,  exa,(Sll7 
in  thefe  words,  viz. 

"  Thomas  Gould  plaintiff,  oft  appeal  from  the 
judgement  of  the  laft  county  court  atCnarleflown* 
After  the  courts  judgement  reafonfs  of  appeal,  and 
evidences  in  the  cufe  produced  were  read,  com* 
xnitted  to  the  jury,  and  remain  on  files  with  the 
records  of  this  court.  The  jury  brought  in  their 
%'erdicl,  they  found  for  the  plaintiff,  reverfion  of 
tht  former  judgement.  Tlie  court  not  accepting 
this  verdicl,  commended  it  to  the  jury's  further 
confideration,  and  fcnt  tlicm  out  again.  And  afe 
the  adjournment,  on  the   further  confideration, 

they 

*  Maff.  hiit.  vol.  3,  p.  400^  401,    f  MafT.  Records 


[iS6«]       IM  NEW-ENGLAND.       375 

they  brought  in  a  fpeclal  verdicl,  1,  c  If  the  intent 

of  this  law,  that  the  appallent  is  accufed  of  the 
breach  of,  be  that  the  prefentment  of  the  grand 
jury,  without  their  certain  knowledge,  pr  other 
evidence,  or  the  perfon  fo  complained  of  is  icjally 
convicted  of  the  breachof  the  law,  tlicreby  he  not 
making  it  appear  he  had  done  his  duty  j  then  they 
confirm'd  the  judgement  of  the  former  court  at 
Charleftown,  but  if  otherv^'ife  they  acquit  the  ap- 
pellant. The  court,  on  a  due  conlideration  of  this 
fpecial  verdicl;,  do  confirm  the  judgement  of  the 
county  court  at  Charleftown.  i  his  judgment 
was.declared,  and  on  the  plaintiff's  refulai  to  pay; 
the  fine  impofed,  was  committed  to  prifon.*' 

On  the  7th  of  this  March,  they  alio  faid,  «  The 

governor    and    council,    accounting    themfelvc$ 

bound  by  the  law  of  God,  and  of  this  common* 

wealth,  to   proted  the  churches   of  Chrift  her(^ 

planted,   from   the  intrufion  thereby  made  upoR 

their  peace  in   the  w^ys  of  godlincfs,  yet  being 

willing  by  all  chriftian  candor   to  endeavour  tho 

reducing  of  the  faid  perfons  from  the  error  of  theip 

way,  and  their   return  to  the  Lord  and  the  corq* 

munion  of  his  people  from  whence  they  are  fallen, 

do  judge  meet  to  grant  unto  Thomas  Gould,  Joha 

Farnum,  Thomas  Olburne  and  company,  yet  fm> 

ther  an  opportunity  of  a  full  and  free  debate,  o£ 

their  grounds  for  their  pracljce  j  and  for  th^t  en4 

this  court  doth  nominate  and  requeft   the  Rev. 

Mr.  John  Allen,   Mr.  Thomns  Cobbet,  Mr.  John 

Hig^infon,  Mr.  Samuel  Danforth,   Mr.  Jonathan 

Mitchel,  and  Mr    Thomas  Shepard,  to  aiTemble 

with  the  governor  and  magiftrates  upon  the  14th 

liay  of  the  next  month,  in  the  meeting-houfe  at 

Boflcm,  at  nine  in  the  morning  ;  before  whom, 

f  r  ib  many  of  them,  with  any  other  the  Revc* 


3V<?      HISTORY  or  the  BAPTISTS 

end  ciders  or  minifters,  as  £hall  then  aifcmble, 
the  abovcfaid  pcrfons  and  their  company  ihall  have 
liberty,  freely  and  fully  in  open  aflcnibly,  to  pre- 
fent  their  grounds  as  abovcfaid,  in  an  orderly  de-  . 
bate  of  this  following  cjueftion  :  whether  it  be 
juftifiable  by  the  word  of  God,  for  thefe  perfons 
and  their  company'  to  depart  from  the  commu- 
nion of  thefe  churches,  and  to  fct  up  an  aiicinbly 
here  in  the  way  of  anabaptifm,  and  whether  iuch 
2.  practice  is  to  be  allowed  by  the  government  of 
this  jurifdiclion  ? — To  Thomas  Gould :  you  are 
hereby  required  in  his  majefty's  name,  according 
to  the  order  of  the  covmcil  above-written,  to  give 
notice  thereof  to  John  Farnum,  Senior,  Thomas 
Ofburne,  and  the  company,  and  you  and  they 
arc  alike  required  to  give  your  attendance,  at  the 
time  and  place,  above-meiUioncd,  lor  the  end 
therein  expreffed. 

Edward  Rawson,  Sccratary."* 
Mr.  Clarke's  church  in  Newport,  hearing  of 
this  appointment,  fent  to  the  afTiftance  of  their 
brethren,  Mr.  William  Hifcox,  Mr.  Jofeph  Tory, 
and  Mr.  Samuel  Hubbard,  who  arrived  at  Boflon, 
three  days  before  the  difpute.  The  author  of 
Mr.  Mitchel's  life  fays,  "  when  the  churches  were 
troubled  by  a  Jirmg  attempt  upon  them  from  the 
the  fpirit  of  anabaptifm^  there  was  a  public  dif- 
pirtation  appointed  at  Bofton,  two  days  together, 
for  the  clearing  of  the  faith  in  that  article  \  this 
worthy  man  was  he,  who  did  moft  ferviee  in  this 
difputatitjn  ;  whereof  the  effeft  was,  that  although 
the  erring  brethren,  as  is  ufual  in  fuch  cdies,  made 
this  their  laft  anfwer  to  the  argumentj-,  which  haci 
call  them  into  much  confufioujy^^  what  ycu  iiiUy, 

IL'C 

*  Copied  from  th«  warrant  new  liefK*  ■«  ia  Mr.  jR..iwfoii't 


ti668]-      IS  NEW-EN «^L AND.        ^^7 

.ae-wlll  hold  pur  minds!  Yet  f V'^T'^'^i^^^'fw 
•caablifhed in  the  right  v.^ys  ot  the  Lord.  Hovv 
VVell  this  eorrefponds  with  tue  preceedmg  p;Ages^ 
the  reader  may  judge.  For  therein  v.e  are  mtprri). 
cd,  that  Mr.  Mitchel  was  fearftd  of  gomg  o  ^ 
learned  gentleman  who  had.  renoiinced  infant 
baptifm  ;  and  that  he  rcloM  that  he  .c^^^/i  have 
an  argument  able  tt  remTue  'd  mountain,  before  he 
W/ recede  from  that  principle.  ;  And  j  ook 
back  to  our  p.  .26,  v/ill  fl^^W  what  fear  the  tuhng 
party  had,  of  difputing  upon  thdr  way  with  ano- 
ther learned  baptift  -,  but  the  whole  power  o  he 
country  now  -ddveiuured  to  enter  the  hll  with  a 

few  hoQcft  me'chanicks.  >    ^t   .  r  1 

When  the  afreLibly  melat  EgPOn  in  May  foU 

lowing,  they   proceeded  to  the  ne::t  argument, 
and  fid,-"  Whereas   -the  council  in    Ma.xh  latl 
•did  for 'their  further  conviclipn-,  appoint  a  meet- 
."ncr'^f  divers  ciders,  and  reqi.^ired  the  [^^^  r^^'rl^"^ 
to\ttend  ttve  {kid  meeting.  Which  was  he.d  m  poU 
tonivith  a  great  concourfe  of  people— 1  i>r3  ftourC^ 
bein^  fcnfible  of  th^ir  duty  to  Cod  and  thj  coyn. 
'  try,  and  being   defu-oiis  thaf,  their  pr.ocecd^r^js  11^ 
this  o-reat  caufe  might  be  ckar  and  regular,  do 
orde?  that  the  faid  G^uld  and  company  be  requir- 
ed to  appear   before  this   court,  on   the  feventh 
in{lant,ac  eight   in   the  morning,  that  th-t  ^oin-J 
n^ay  underftand  from  themfelv.-,   xvhethpt  upoa 
the  means  ufed,  Or  other  confederations,  they  h^^^ 
altered  their   former  declared  refclution^  and  ar$i 
^)villin9  to  dcAft  from  their  former  oflftiuvc  prac^ 
tice,  that   accordingly  ^  mete   efe^ual   remedy 
hiay  be  applied  to  fo  dangerous  a  malady.     A? 
the  tiiuc  they   made  the^r  appearance  and  atte^ 
Ebb  ^^^ 

»  Hk  lit.,  p.  69.  10,  72,  The  difput«  w»h4d  bpr>  :hf  Wii% 

9mA  i^th  •(  Aoiiii. 


37S      HISTOliV  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

the  court  had  Jieai  J  what  they  had  to  fliy  for 
tbemiclvcsy  proceeded.  Whcrea<>  Thomas  Gould, 
William  Turner,  and  John  Farnum,  Senior,  ob- 
ftinate  and  turbulent  anabaptifts,  have  fbme  time 
fince  combiaed  themlclves  wit}^  others  in  a  pre- 
tended cluirch  elbte,  without  the  knowledge  and 
approbation  of  the  authority  here  eltabiiflied,  to 
th";  great  grief  and  offenccofthegodly  orthodox ;  the 
faid  perfons  did  in  open  court,  affert  their  former 
practice  to  have  been  according  to  the  mind  of 
God,  that  nothlnv  that  they  had  heard  a^vinced 
them  to  the  contrary  ;  which  practice,  being  alfo 
otherwife  circumflanced  with  making  infant  bap- 
tiim  a  naiiity,  and  thereby 'making  us  all  to  he 
unbaptizcd  perfons,  and  lb  conftquently  no  regu- 
lar churches,  miniftry  or  ordinances  ;  as  abb  re- 
nouncing ail  our  churches,  as  being  {o  bad  and  cor- 
rupt that  they  are  not  fit  to  be  held  communion 
with  ;  denying  to  fubmit  to  the  government  of 
Chrift  in  the  church,  aiid  entertaining  of  thofe 
wlio  are  under  church  cenfure,  thereby  matcing 
the  difcipUnc  of  Chrift  to  be  of  none  effect,  and 
manifeftly  tending  to  the  diilurbance  and  de- 
frruclion  of  thefe  churches — opening  the  door  for 
all  forts  of  abominations  to  come  in  am.ong  us,  to 
the  difturbancc  not  only  of  ecckriaftical  enjoy- 
ments, but  aUo  contempt  of  .pjiir  civii  order,  and 
the  authority  here  elfabliflied — which  duty  to 
God  and  tlie  country  doth  oblige  us  to  prevent, 
bv  uHnp-  the  moll  companionate  eilectual  means 
to  attain  t)ie  fame  ;  all  which  conhdering,  toge- 
ther with  the  danger  of  diffeminating  their  errois, 
and  encourageing  prcfumpcuous  irregularities  by 
their  example,  fliould  they  continue  in  this  juril- 
diction. ;  this  court  do  judge  it  ncceifary  that 
they  be  rcmovtvi  to  fome  other  part  of  this  coun^ 

try 


[i658]    IN  NEW-ENGLAND.        2>79 

try,  or  elfewhcre,  and  accordingly  doth  order, 
that  the  laid  Thonrias  Gould,  William  Turner  and 
John  Farnum,  Senior,  do  before  the  20th  of  July 
next  remove  themlelvcs  out  of  thj-s  jurifdiction, 
and  that  IF  after  the  laid  20th  of  July  cither  of 
them  be  found  in  any  part  of  this  jurildiction, 
"without  h'cence  had  from  this  court  or  tfce  council, 
he  or  they  fiiall  be  forthwith  apprehended  and 
committed  to  prifon  by  warrant  from  any  magi- 
itrate,  and  there  remain  without  bail  or  mainprile, 
until  he  or  they  fhail  givelufficicnt  fecuiity  to  the 
governor  or  any  magiftrate,  immediately  to  de- 
part the  jurifdiction,  ancP  not  to  return  as  above- 
faid.  And  all  conftables  and  other  ofliccrs,  are 
required  to  be  faithful  and  diligent  in  the  execu^ 
tion  of  this  lentancc.  And  it  is  further  ordered, 
that  the  keepers  of  all  prifons  whereto  the,  faid 
Thomas,  or  any  of  them  Hull  be  committed, 
fhall  pot  permit  any  refort  of  companies  of  more.' 
than  two  at  onetime  to  any  of  the  faid  perlbns.  And 
our  experience  of  their  iiigh  obilinate  and  pre- 
iumptuous  carriage,  doth  engag;e  us  to  prohibit 
them  any  further  meet  ng  together,  on  the  Lord's 
day,  or  other  days,  upon  pretence  of  their  churcH' 
elfaie,  or  for  the  adminiftration  or  exercJie  of  any 
pretended  ccciefiaftical  functions,  or  dirpcnfation. 
of  the  feals  or  preaching  j  wherein,  if  they  ihall  ■ 
be  taken  offending,  they  Ihall  be  imprilbned  until 
the  tenth  of  July  next,  and  then  left  at  their  liber- 
ty within  ten  days  to  depart  the  jurifdidion 
upon  penalty  as  aforefiiid.  And  whereas  Thomas 
Gould  is' committed  to  prifon  in  the  county  of 
Middlefcx,  by  the  laO:  court  of  aiFiftants,  for  non- 
payment  of  a  j&ne  impofed,  tliis  court  jucigeth  it 
meet,  after  the  fcntance  of  this  court  is  pablifhed' 
this  day  aJUrthe  kclure  to  ihcm,  that  the  faid  (iould 

iha].\ 


jSd      lilStORT  07  ritz  BAPTISTS 

Aall  fei  difehargcd  from  imprifontncnt  in  Middle- 
fex  as  to  his  fine,  thi^t  Ip  he  may  hav«  timi:  to  pie-. 
Jiare  tQi"ubn-il:  to  the  ^judgment  ot  this  co\irt."  * 

This  looked  like  a  pov/efful  %vay  of  arguing  ; 
but  the  "baptifts  were  nqt  convinced  by  it^ 
feithSr  of  its  being  duty  to  return  into  fellowfhip, 
^ith  thok  Y^ho  managed  the  argurpent,  or  to  quit 
their  fta^ions  and  enjoyments  at  their  command. 
}  find  by  the  colony  recor^Sj  that  John  Farnuir^ 
\V2S  Emitted  a  frcetnan  of  that  colony  May  13^ 
1640  ;  IhomaS  Gould,  June  2,  1641  ;  in  \^hic^ 
y^?s  John  George  bpu«d  himlelf  to  goyunor 
Winthrod.j  t  fuppofe  to  pay  for  his  pailagc  over 
to  this  cour.try\  And  I  have  a  copy  i>efore  me 
pFa  V/arfant  for  the  commitment  of  Turner  an4 
F;irnum  to,  Bollion  Goal,  dated  July  30  this  year, 
iigr.c4  by  gcycrnor  BelHugham,  Eleazcr  Lulher 
and  EdvVard  Tyng.  Wheri  the  ailembly  met 
agaih  in  the  fil.ll,  a  petition  \\'as  prefented  to  then^ 
wherebfa  copy  fpimd  among"  their  church  papers, 
is  beibrfc  rne,  in  thefe  words. 

"  WjiERKAS  by  the  cenfure  of  this  honorable 
court  ThoiDias  Gouidj  William  Turi)cr  and  Johq 
Farnum,  now  lie  in  prifan  deprived  ot  their  libera 
iv,  taken  off  from  i;heir  fallings,  feparated  fron; 
their  wives  and  children,  difabled  to  govern  or  tq 
f^rovide  for  their  families,  to.  their  great  damage 
;ii1d  haftenlng  ruin,  ho\V.  innocent  ibcvcr  ;  befide 
the  hazard  of  their  own  Uves,  being  aged  and 
\veakiy  npch,  ^nd  needing  that  fuccopr  a  prilbn  Mil| 
iiot  ajfTcird  j  the  fcnfe  pf  this,  their  perfonal  and. 
firnUy  ilioll  deplorable  apd  rjlHictcd  c"o;5dition,hatl^ 
fidly  anecled  the  hearts  of  many  fpbcr  a.nd  ferious, 
ctj.riir.ian*!,  and  fudi  aS  neither  approve  of  their- 
ividi^nienfc  pr  pr^clice.;  cfpcciaHy   runiidering  thai 

the 


[i66a]       IN  NE W.ENGLAND.       jg? 

the  rr^en  are  reputed  godly,  and  of  a  blamelefs  con-? 
Ycifiitiou  ;  and  tjie  things  for  which  they  feem  tq 
fuffer  I'ccm  not  tq  be  moral,  unqueftioned,  fcanda- 
loiis  evils,  hut  matters  of  religion  and  confcience  j 
not  ;n  things  fundamental,  plain  and  clear,  but 
(:ircurnftantial,  mqre  dark  an4  donbtful,  wherein 
the  faints  are  wont  to  differ,  and  to  forbear  one 
another  in  love,  that  they  be  not  expofed  to  fm, 
pr  to  fuft'er  for  confcience  fakp.  W^  therefore 
raqft  hun-ihly  befcech  this  honored  courtj  in  their 
chriftian  mercy  and  bowels  of  compafHon,  to  pity 
and  relieve;  thefe  poor  pr;fonsrs  ;  whofe  fufferings 
(alfo  being  doubtful  to  m^ny,  and  fome  of  great 
worth  among  ourfelves,  and'  grievous  to  fundry 
of  Qod's  people  at  home  and  abroad,  may  crave 
a  further  confideration)  whereby  perceiving  this 
court  not  likely  to  effect  the  end  defired,  but  ra- 
ther to  grieve  the  hearts  of  Gpd's  people  :  Now 
your  wifdom.s  may  be  pleafed  to  think  of  fome 
better  expedient,  and  ferioufly  confider  whethex' 
an  indulgence,  juftifiable  by  the  werd  of  God, 
pleaded  for  and  praclifed"  by  congregational 
^hupches,  may  nqt,  in  this  day  of  luflering  to  the 
people  of  God,  be  more  effectual,  fafe  ^nd  inof« 
lenfu'c  than  other  ways^  which  are  always  griev* 
pus,  and  feldom  find  fuccef^.  We  in  all  hun.ihty 
hope,  hereby  occafions  of  difference  being  removed, 
that  love  and  communion  among  all  faints,  which 
our  dying  Lord  fo  weightily  charged  and  earnefl- 
ly  prayed  for,  will  more  ealily  be  preferved  and 
praclifed,  to  the  glory  of  God,'  honor  of  the  gof- 
pel,  peace  and  welfare  of  all  the  churches,  which 
this  honored  court  being  the  liappy  inffrumenta 
of  effecting,  will  oblige  your  poor  petitioners,  a*? 
in  duty  bound,  to  pray  for  your  happinefs  both 
\n  this  life  and  in  that  to  come,   snd  that  your- 

authority 


^tz      HISTORY  Of  TH£  BAPTISTS 

authority  may  be  long  continued  as  an  unparallcd 
blcfling  to  this  commonwealth." 

We  are  infornited  that  Capt.  Edward  Hutchin- 
fon,  Cdpt.  Oliver,  and  many  others  iigned  this 
petition  i  but  the  Court  were  fo  far  from  granting 
it,  that  the  crisi^  promoters  of  it  were  fined,  and 
others  cosHpeilcd  to  an  acknowledgment  of  their 
fault  in  reGcciing  upon  the  Court  herein.  We 
are  aifo  told,  that  the  Hon.  Francis^  Willoughby, 
who  was  their  deputy  Governor  from  1605,  till 
he  died  on  April  4,  1671,  "  was  a  great  oppo(cr  of 
thefe  perfecutions  ag<»inft  the  bapciits.''  *  Leveret 
and  Symonds,  his  fucceflbrs  in  that  offise,  appear 
alfo  to  have  been  on  that  fide  of  the  queiUon. 
The  ruling-  party  printed  their  fcntance  againft 
thofe  baptiils,  an  anfwer  to  which  I  find  amoQg 
their  church  papers,  which  is  clofed  with  thefc 
words.  *'  This  myhufband  v/ould  intreatof  you, 
to  take  counlel  of  mafter  Bennet,  and  if  he  and 
you  jnd^e  it  mete,  to  lend  it  to  England,  and  the 
printed  fencance  with  it.  It  is  delired  that  no 
man  fee  it  but  goodman  Sweetfer,  and  that  Jofiah 
write  it  fair  and  plain."  I  conclude  the  perfon 
herefpeaking  is  eider  Gould's  wife  j  and  the  moft 
material  points  of  her  anfwer  are  as  follows  : 
'  "  FiasT,  They  call  them  obJli?':afs  and  turbuknt 
fina^apt'ijh.  i.  Idelh'c  to  know  wherein  their ob- 
ilinacy  doth  appeal*  ?  They  defired  the  court  to 
iliOvv  them,  from  the  rule  of  Chrift,  of  any  point 
that  they  were  out  of  the  way  of  God  ;  andif  tlie 
Lord  was  pleafed  to  (hew  them  wherein  they 
were  out,  they  would  freely  lay  it  down  ;  but 
th^  Clewed  them  no  other  rule  than  their  own 
Jaw  ;  and  fentanced  them  to  be  fined  and  impri- 
foaed;  and  this  was  all  the  rule  they  could  give, 

which 
*  M.iT.  hift.  vol,  •^,ti-]t  269. 


[i668]       iM  NEW.ENGLxlND.       383 

which  did  not  convince  them.     2.  They  fay  they 
were  turbulent  :  I  defire   th^m  to  prove  wherein 
they  were   turbulent,  when  they  did  not  difturb 
neither  churches  nor  courts,  neither  by  word  nor 
by  aaion  j  but  deiired   to  Uve  qujetly  and  peace- 
ably among  them,  and  they  cannot  teil  of  any  one 
thing  that  they  dillurbed  them  in,  but  defired  they 
might  enjoy  that  liberty  that  Ciirift  hath  purchas- 
ed for   the[n.     They   know  not  that  they  fpoke 
ary  word  that  gave  offence  to  the  court,  unlefs  it 
■was  thofe  few  words,  when  mafler  Bradftreet  pro- 
nounced tliat  fentance  againft  them,  anli  charged 
them  no  more  to  meet  togetlier,  whether  on  the 
Lord'sday  oron  the  weekdays, /«  their  conventicles  ; 
thofe  words  were  returned  by  them,   We  ought  to 
obey  God  rather    than  nun  ;  we  cannot  but  do  the 
things  that  we  ha-v^  heard  and  learned.    3.  As  for 
anabapti/is^   they  do    not  ov/n   that  name,  except 
they  will  bepleafed  to  explain  what  they  mean  by 
it  ;  for  they   own  tliem  to   be   of  the  baptized. 
Again  they  lay,  they  co^nbined  together  in  a  pretended 
church  eflafe.     They  need  not  have  faid  fo,  un'efs 
they  could  have  proved  they  fet  up  their  church 
contrary  to  a  rule  of  Chrift.     Belide,  they  gave 
them  in  a  writing  wherein  they  gave  a  brief  ac- 
count of  their  faith,   where  they  declared  what 
they  owned  to  be  a  church  of    Chiifb,  and  the  or- 
der of  it  according  to   the  rule  of  the  fcripturc, 
which  neither   the  court  nor  the  elders  ever   an- 
fwered  to  this  day.     They  fay  it  was  without  th^ 
know!ed;^e  or  approbation  of  the  authority  here  ejiahlij}j' 
ed  a?  the  law  required.     Anfwer,  i.   If  the  apoftles 
had  not  fet  up  churches  In  their  time,  without  the 
approbation    of  the   authority  and    their  priefts, 
there  ha4  been  few  or  no  churches  in   their  time. 
2.,  Cljxift  is  Lord  and  Kins;  of  his  church,  and  \ir, 

will    ^ 


|§4     HISTOilY  OF  THE  6Ai*TlST5 

\vill  fet  up  his  government  therein,  and  hath  giveti 
them  ruJes  from  himfclf,  how  to  fet  it  up  and  to 
r.irry  it  along  according  to  his  appointment,  and 
hot  to  alk  leave  of  the  powers  ot  the  word  to  fet 
Up  his  church  5  for  Chrift's  jurifdiclion  is  thic 
Ixateft  jurifdiftion  n  the  v.'orld.  3.  They  had  alki 
ged  leave,  had  they  found  a  command  of  Chriflfor 
it,  but  finding  no  riile  of  Chrift  they  did  notdb  it* 
**  Again,  they  fay  fome  ^f  Chemfcives  were 
txcemmunicattd  perfons:  Firft,  it  is  true  what  they 
fay,  yet  that  fome  W3.s  but  two  that  v^'erecafl  butj 
and  that  after  th.ey  were  gathered  into  this  pre- 
tended church,  as  tliey  call  it,  a  good  fpace  of 
time.  But  confider  for  what  it  \Vas,  and  how  it 
was?  [Hear  the  foregoing  account  of  Mr.  Gould 
and  Ofburne  is  confirmed.  And  of  the  day  they 
were  caft  out  flie  fays,]  Thd  word  was  carried  td 
tlie  elder,  that  if  they  w'ete  alive  and  well  they 
Would  come  the  next  day,  yet  they  were  fo  hot 
upon  it  that  thev  would  not  iay,  but  mafter  Simsj 
when  he  was  laying  out  the  fins  of  thefe  mcn^ 
before  he  had  propounded  it  td  the  church,  td 
know  their  mind,  the  church  having  no  liberty  td 
fpcak,  he  wound  it  up  in  his  difcourfc,  and  de- 
livered tlicm  up  to  fatan,  to  the  amazment  of  the 
jpeople,  that  ever  fjich  ,au  ordinance  of  Chrift 
fiiould  be  fo  abufed,  that  many  of  the  peoJ)le  wctit 
out :  and  thefe  were  the  excommtJnicated  perfons^ 
'I'hey  faVjCT/iVr  Iciig  forhsarinc^  to  ufe  tht  utrm/i  meani 
ccn'vince  and  reduce  them,  intrtated  the  ajjj/iante  of  ts 
divers  elder s>  Anfwer  I.  It  is  true  there  were* 
feven  elders  appointed  to  difcourle  with  theni^j 
and  tl:ere  Were  a  few  plowman  and  taylofs  to 
come  before  :  but  how  they -were  ferved  with  i 
warrant  to  appear  before  thefe  elders  in  his  Majef- 
t*ys  name !  2.  When  they  were  met,  there  was  3 

long 


long  rpeech  made  by.  one  of  them,  of  -v^'hat  yjlo 
pciTo'S  they  weri.  and  how  they  acted  again^ 
the  churches  and  government  here,  and  itoacl  com 
deinncd  by  the  court.  The  other  dehring  lif^rtv 
to  fpeak,  they  would  not  fu3er  them,  but  tij?4 
them  they  Itood  there  as  dcUn^uents,  and  ouciit 
not  to  have  liberty  to  fpeak.  llicu  they^defutcj 
they  might  choofe  ai  moderator  as  well  as  they  z 
they  deaicd  them.  Two  days  were  fpenc  to  liu.le 
purpofe — in  the  clofe,  maftcr  Jonathan  Mitciicl 
pronounced  that  dreadful  fentance  ^gainft  thcni 
in  Deut,  :scvii,  8.  to  the  end  of  the  i2thj  and  this. 
was  the  way  they  took  to  convince,  them,  and 
you  may  (cs  what  a  good  effect  it  had  — r-Ther^ 
was  nothing  fpoken  fi'oin  the  rule  of  Chrift,  nei- 
ther from  the  court  nor  the  eldert,  but  fuch  fen'r 
tanccs  as  thefe,  fineing,  and  Whipping,  an.  priibn-. 
ing,  and  baniliiing.  and  maftcr  Mitchells  fentance, 
and  all  thefe  are  not  the  weapon^  iof  Cunft,  but 
carnal  weapons  that  never  did  coav-'c  ^'-^y  {jjut 
of  the  error  of  his  ways. 

*^  Whebiea*  they  lay,  %i}hjch  firadue  tiui^lng  Jn^. 
fant  buptifm  a  nullity^  &:c.  1  anfvvGr,  ii:  i^s  good  for 
'every  one  to  be  furc  that  they  are  upon  good 
ground  whatfoever  the  pradiice  of  oiijers  may 
feem  to  condemn— They  lay,  ten  ling  to  thg  diftur-, 
hance  and  deflrucilon  of  thefe  cburcbes,  '  For  ai^fvyer, 
I.  if  eight  or  nine  poor  jiniibaptifts,  as  thf y  f.aU 
them,  tnould  be  the  dejlrucljion  of  their  churches, 
then  let  any  feeing  ip,an  judge  what  their  chijrchc;^ 
arc  built  upon  j  then  wc  nuay  thijil*  they  are  built 
Upon  a  faniy  fcundtltion  ;  for  the  church  of 
Chnd  is  built  upan  himfelf,  and  the  gates  c5  Hell 
ihall  not  prevail  againll  it.  2.  If  Viicy  be  *£lie 
churches  of  Chrift,  and  think  they  ihall  be  9vci> 
tiirown  by  theia,  it  is  from  the  weakttcfs  oFtlidOf 

C  c  c  i^iti^ 


586      HISTORY  of  the  BAPTISTS 

faith,  looking  more  to  an  arm  of  flefh  and  powers 
of  the  world  to  uphold  them,  than  to  Chiift  and 
his  faithful  promife.  3.  If  they  fear  they  will  be 
the  deilrudion  of  their  churches,  now  all  the 
power  of  the  country  is  for  them  and  have  an 
arm  of  flefli  to  help  them,  what  will  they  do  when 
all  the  powers  of  the  country  are  againft  them, 
as  are  againfl  tlie  other,  as  you  fay  yourfelves  of 
them,  that  when  they  were  in  examination  before 
the  court,  they  profeffed  themfelvcs  refolved  to 
adhere  to  the  fame  practice  ;  and  now  fuffer  will- 
ingly for  it.  But  for  the  men,  what  they  are  I 
fliall  fay  nothing,  for  the  fixty-livc  hands  to  the 
petition  that  ^yas  put  into  the  general  Court,  docs 
plainly  declare  to  dieir  beft  difccrning,  tkat  they 
have  been  honeft  and  godly,  and  lived  quietly  and 
pcacably  among  them  a  good  length  of  time. 
Again  they  fay,  ^y  7//5"w^  the  mojl  compajfionate  and 
effe6liml  means  to  attain  the  fame.  Anlwtr,  i.  The 
Lord  keep  every  gracious  foul  from  fuch  com. 
paflionate  means  for  the  truth  of  the  gofpel  I 
1.  For  what  companionate  means  were  ufed  with 
them,  let  men  fearing  God  judge  ;  for  one  of 
them  was  called  from  prifon  when  this  fentance 
of  banlfliment  was  read  againfl:  them  ;  and  if  any 
man  defires  to  inform  himfclf  wherein  their  com- 
panion appears,  let  him  read  their  printed  fentance 
againft  them,  which  was  executed  upon  them  ; 
for  not  moving  themfelvcs,  they  fent  the  confta* 
able,  and  fetch  them  away  to  prifon  on  a  public 
lecture  day  at  Bofton,  when  the  faid  Thomas 
Gould,  Wilham  Turner  and  John  Farnum,  had 
been  all  there,  and  newly  come  home  to  their 
houles,  and  they  remain  in  prifon  to  this  day." 

How  any  that  feared  God,  could  be  cnfnared 
and  held  in  fuch  a  way  of  treating  their  fellow 

Servants 


\^t66s2       iH   NEW-EN GLAND,      387 

fervants,  may  doubtlefs  appear  unaccountable  to 
many  ;^  but  a  careful  fcarch  will  help  us  to  difcover 
the  nature  of  this  myftery.  The  cftabliihracnt  of 
chriftian  commonwealth,  was  the  grand  object 
that  had  been  before  thofc  leaders  for  forty  years, 
and  it  continued  fo  to  their  laft  hours.  Mr.  Wil- 
fon,  the  firft  minifter  of  Bofton,  had  been  famed 
for  a  gift  of  prophecy,  or  foftteling  future  events  ; 
and  as  his  difiblution  appeared  near,  a  large  num- 
ber of  miniftei's  came  round  him  on  May  16, 
1667,  and  delired  him  t©  declare  unto  them,  what 
he  conceived  to  be  the  fins  among  them  that 
caufed  the  difpleafure  of  God  againft  the  country, 
he  told  them  he  had  longfeared  the  following  fins  as 
chief  among  others,  which  greatly  provoked  God, 
,viz.  "  I  Separation.  2.  Anabaptilm.  3*  Corahifm, 
"when  people  rife  up  as  Corah,  againft  their  mini- 
flers  or  elders,  as  if  they  took  too  much  upon 
them,  when  indeed  they  do  but  rule  for  Chrift, 
and  according  to  Chrift  ;  yet  (faid  he)  it  is  no- 
thing for  a.  brother  to  ftand  up,  and  oppofe  with. 
out  fcripture  or  reafon,  the  doctrine  and  word  of 
the  elder,  faying  t  am  not  fatislied,  &c.  and  hence, 
if  he  do  not  like  the  adminiftration,  be  it  bsiptlfm 
or  the  like,  he  will  turn  his  back  upon  God  and  his 
ordinance?,  and  go  away.  And  for  our  ncglecfl 
of  baptifing  the  children  of  the  church,  thofc  that 
fome  call  gi-and-children,  I  think  God  i«  provoked 
by  it.  4.  -Another  fin  I  take  to  be  the  making 
light  of,  not  fiihjecling  to  tht  authority  of  fynods 
without  which,  the  churches  cannot  long  fijbfift. 
Andfo  for  the  mairiftrates  beino:  Gallio  like, cither 
not  careing  for  thefe  things , or  clfe  not ufingM^/r 
•power  and  authrlty  for  the  riaintenanci  of  the  truth, 
gofpel  and  ordinances  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour 
Jefus  Chrift,  and  for  bearing  through  witncfs 
Jigainft  the  contrary  ;  fhould  the  Lord  leave  thijn 

hereuotev 


^S8     HIStORY  ci  THE  iSAPTIStS 

1iLere''int6j  lio^  mirerable  a  people  fliould  we  be  1 
f  And  at  night  heblcfTed  them  upon  their  parting] 
\Vitii  great  affection,  and  with  tears,  and  all  the 
|t!  r)}n.eni  wept  '^ith   him,  and  took  their  leave  of 
ril'ii,  e'f'ert  as  children  of  their  father,  \s  ho  having 
feleflbd  them  was  about   to  die;'*  And  did  lo  tlie 
fhe  ^th  bf  Ano^rifl    follonincy,  ♦  Thefe  things  af- 
fecred   their  n;iadj  jn  Uich  a  rhanner,  that  upon 
h\s  ^hlirch's  bbtaiinhg  Mr,  Devenport  from  New- 
B'lvea  to  fuereed  hirn,  who  had  piinted  his  tefti- 
■iriioriy  again  ft  the  rt;i\ilt  of  the  iate  fynod  about 
ih^  lia'.fway  t-bVehaht,  a  minor  part  of  the  church 
dreAV  off  frbrti   the   reft,  and  in  May  1669  other 
nitnift'^lrS    afl]{tcd    in  fbnning    thtm    into  a  new 
chii^ck;  in  lopenjhparation-  froiri  the  firlt  church  in 
Biflon,  "U-hic^i  fih'ifm    conUnued    about  fourteen 
y'fearis,   til]  an  epiicopal   invader   of  their   lights 
•'•drove  thbih   tfigether  again;  ^  Hetscc   fe$  V'hat  ar 
*  fcMrniatical  doctrine  that   is,  of  infahts  chuicli- 
iiiemberlhip;  and  of  uiing  fccular  foice  in  religious 
iffairsi     Whafe   divi/ions   and   contentions  did  \t 
T^i-odiib'e  bdth   in  Coilhetliciit  and  th'e  MafTachu- 
fetts  \  Apd  is  it  not  evident  that  they  proceeded 
from  a   (^nfouAding  of  the   Jewi^  and  Chnliian 
iihtirche^  together  ?  fot  a  right  to   memberfliip 
and  tci  bfficc,  in  the  former,  proceeded   in  a  na- 
tural, in  the  latter,  in  a  fpkitual  line.     The'  gain-  > 

, %i"g, 

*  Morton,  p.    195;  T9S.  .  \ 

•f  Ma-gnelt'a.^  b.  J-;  p  S  ;,  83.  "  There  was  a  great  riifcrence 
betwixt  tlic  oU  church  and  the  ffiembers  of  the  atw  church,  alcKfe 
b  p>ifiT>.  ar.d  their  rrt  era  hers  jpinirg  in  full  corDmunion  with  cither 
church  ;  this  wms  fo  high  that  there  was  imprifonir,g  of  parties, 
and  great  diftiirb.-nccs  ;  but  now  hearii  g  sf  wy  prcpofaJs  for 
mini-ftersto  btfenttfver,  *hey  arejoinijd  togetltsr,  jtbrut  a  fort-. 
^?ij;nt  ;;|fO',  aa(]  pray  to  Goi  to  confound  'he  devices  of  ^11  wh<> 
)([Jift:u:h  ibcir  pCwce  and  liberties-"  Randolph's  litur  to  th<  tt/^cp. 
9/t'*itdcn,M-jyg,  j63?..  ^laj.  hift.  vol.  3,  P.-532. -Tfafti 
3^C¥{  siiuith  is  Ik^ce  cartel  STAs  e/i:^.J)>uii. 


[i668]       IN   NEW-EMGLAI^D.      389 

jiliying  of  Korah  was  after  an  infalliable  authority 
h^.d  rixed  the  pricd-hood  in  the  line  of  Aaron 
and  his  feed,  wKo  were  types  of  Chriil  and  his 
faints  ;  but  officers  in  dittincfion  from  the  reit 
of  the  lively  jhnes  whereof  his  houfe  is  built,  are 
never^cahed  priefts  in  the  new-teftament  :  yea, 
we  have  feen  nnkinilters  refentins:  others  eallinir  of 
them  by  thut  name,  and  yet  they  in  the  above 
inftance  and  down  to  this  day,  have  applied  the 
cafe  of  Korah  to  thofe  who  refiife />rfi(!-?zV^//i' to 
own  them  as  fuch.  And  they  have  often  told  us 
of  David's  ern)r,  in  carrying  the  ark  upon  a  new 
cart,  inftead  of  the  pricUs  flioulders  ;  but  that 
error  is  theirs,  hot'  ours  ;  and  had  they  been  as 
ready  to  immitate  Daviil  in  reformation  as  they 
were  in  tranfgreflion  what  happy  times  might  we 
haveiccn  before  now  ?  The  oracles  of  God  wci-e 
then  Carried  in  the  ark,  but  now  hio  church  is  the 
pillar  and  grounti  of  the  truth,  i  Tim.  13,  15^1  * 
Peter.  2,  5  Upon  Uzza's  being  flnick  cead, 
David  was  turned  tofcarch  thedivine  ri'lesj  which 
taught  him  to  reft  the  caufe  o{  truth  upon  living 
Jhouldcrs^  inftead  of  an  earthly  machine  drauu  by 
bea;Vy  force  '.  1  Cor.  15,  a.  But  when  the  nders 
of  the  Mairachufetts  were  moved  by  their  miniTurs 
to  exert  fuch  force  againft  the  baptifts,  though 
they  faw  the  chief  procurers  of  that  fentance  flruck 
d^^ad  before  the  time  came  for  its  execution,  iwxi, 
tiiany  more  of  them  about  that  time,  yet  tJifir 
pofterity  have  approved  their  fayings  cvTn  to  t'  •;; 
day.*     I  am  well  fcnfible  that  the  diviwc  jad...  - 

ments 

*  Mr.  Henry  Flint  of  F.r.jintree,  and  Mr.  Samuel  S'  cpard 
of  Rowhy,  died  about  the  time  of  their  difpute  v.  ith  the  b.iptifx 
•  n  Bofton.  Mr,  MitcI'iCl,  who  was  moft  a{flivc  in  prccurinp  the 
fentHnoe  agsinft  them,  died  July  9,  aged  43,  ?.nd  IV)r.  John  l  Uot 
Jua'r*  Odobcr  13,  1668,  «gcd  j^.both  \ii  Cambridge,     Mr, 

Jcha  . 


*  J 


390      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

ments  arc  agrcat  deep,  and  that  love  or  hatred  is 
not  to  be  known  merely  by  fuch  outward  events  ; 
yet  they  ought  to  put  us  all  upon  fearching  and 
trying  our  ways(asDavid  did)  by  the  revealed  will 
of  God ;  which  duty  was  excellently  inculcated 
upon  them  at  that  time  in  a  letter  to  Capt.  Oliver 
ot  Bofton,  in  the  words  following. 

My  dear  Brother, 

*'  The  ardent  affecliorl  and  great  honors  that  1 
have  for  New-England  tranfport  me,  and  1  hope 
your  churches  fliall  ever  be  to  me  as  the  gates  of 
heaven.  I  have  ever  bpen  warmed  with  the  ap* 
prehenfion  of  the  grace  of  God  towards  me  in 
carrying  me  thither.  I  have  always  thought  that  of 
the  congregational  churches  of  N.  E.  in  our  days. 
But  now  it  is  othcrwifc,  With  joy  as  to  ourfelvcs 
and  grief  as  to  you  be  it  fp»kcn.  l>Jow  the  grea- 
ter my  love  is  to  N.  K.  the  more  am  I  grieved  at 
their  failings.  It  is  frequently  faid  here,  that  they 
are  fwcrvcd  a/ide  towards  prefbetery  :  if  fo,  the 
Lord  reftore  them  all.  But  another  fad  thing 
that  much  effecls  us  is,  to  hear  that  you  even  in  N. 
England  perfecutc  your  brethren  ;  men  found  in 
the  faith  ;  of  holy  life  ;  agreeing  in  worfliip  and 
difcipline  with  you  ;  only  differing  in  tlie  point  of 
hapti&fi.  Dear  brother,  we  here  do  love  and  ho- 
riorthcm,  hold  familiarity  with  them  and  take 
fweet  council  together  ;  they  lie  in  the  bofom  of 
Chrift  and  therefore  they  ought  to  be  laid  in  our 
bofoms.  In  a  word,  we  freely  admit  them  into 
churches  ;  few  of  our  churches  but  many  of  our 
members  are  anabaptifts  :  1  mean  baptized  again* 

This 
<^ohn  JJeyncr  of  Dovtr,  ?nd  Mr.  Richard  Mather  of  Dorchefler 
both  d.tcd  in  April,  and  Eleazer  Mather  of  Northampton  on 
July  24,  1669,  aged  32.  Mr.  Sims,  who  had  treated  the  baptifts 
fo  ill,  and  Mr.  John  Allen  of  Dedham,  one  of  the  difputants  a- 
gaia/l  tiiera,botbdicd  wilhin  two  years aftcr,as  a'cU  as  aiarvjr  otbersy 


[1669]       IN  NEW-ENGLAND.       351 

This  is  love  in  England  ;  this  is  moderation  ;  this 
is  a  right  new  teftament  fpirit.     But  do  you  now 
(as  is  abovclaid)  bear  with,  yea,  more  than  bear 
with,  the  Prelbyterians  ?  yea,  and  that  the  worft 
fort  of  them,  viz.   thole  who  are  the   corrupteft, 
rigedft  ;    whofe    principles    tend  to   corrupt  tho 
churches ;  turning  the  world  Into  the  church,  and 
the  church  into  the  world  j  and  which  doth  no 
lefs  than  bring  a  people  under  meer  ilavery.     It  is 
an  iron  yoke  which  neither  we  nor  our  congre- 
gational brethren  in  Scotland  were  ever  able  to 
bear.     I  have   heard  them  utter  thefe  words  in 
the  pulpit,  that  it  is  no  wrong  to  makf  the  indc- 
pendants  fell  all  they  have,  and  depart  the  land  ; 
and  many  more  things  I  might  mention  of  that 
kind  ;  but   this  1  hint  only,   to  Ihew  what  caufe 
there  is  to  withftand  that  wicked  tyranny  which 
was  once  fet  up  in  poor  mifcrable  Scotland,  whicli 
I  verily  believe  was  a  great  wrong  and  injury  to 
the  reformation,     The  generality  of  them  here, 
even  to  this  day,  will  not  freely   confent  to  onr 
enjoyment  of  our  liberty ;  though  through  mercy 
the  bed  and  moft  reformed  ©f  them  do  othcrwife. 
Ho*^  much  more  therefore  would  it  concern  dear 
N.  E.to  turn  the  edge  againft  [thofe^whojif  not  pre- 
"vented,  will  certainly  corrupt  andenflavCjUot  only 
their  own,   but   aJfo  your   churches  ?    Whereas 
anabaptifts   are   neither    fpirited   nor   principled 
to  injure   nor   hurt  your  government   nor  your 
liberties  ;  but  rather  thefe  be  a  means  to  prefervc 
your  churches  from  apoftacy,  and  provoke  them 
to  their  primitive  purity,  as  they  were  in  the  firft 
planting,  in  admiflion  of  members  to  receive  none 
into  your  churches  but  vifible  faints,  and  in  rcflor- 
ing  the  intire  jurifdl£lion  of  every  congregation 
€9mplcat  and  undillurbed.     We  arc  hearty  and 

full 


•gg2      HISTOUY  o?  thk  BAPTISTS 

full  for  our  prefbytei'hh  brethren's  erjoyinq^ 
equal  liberty  with  ourielves,  oil  that  they  had  the 
fame  fpirit  towards  us  !  but  oh  how  it  grieves  and 
affects  us  that  New-iingland  fhouU  perfccute  ! 
will  you  not  give  what  you  take  ?  is  liberty  of 
confciencc  your  due  ?  and  is  it  not  as  due  unto 
others  that  are  found  in  the  faith  ?  Read  the  pre- 
face to  the  declaration  of  the  faith  and  order,  own- 
ed and  praclifed  in  the  congregational  churchei 
in  England,  p.  6,  7.  Amongft  many  others  Icrip- 
tures,  thatiu  the  14th  of  Romans  much  confirms 
me  in  liberty  of  confciencc  thus  ftated  ;  To  hirn 
that  efteerfts  any  thing  unclean,  to  him  it  is  un- 
clean, verle  13.  Therefore  though  we  approve 
of  the  baptifm  of  thcimmcdiatechildren  of  church 
members,  andfofj  their  admilHon  into  the  church 
when  they  evidence  a  real  work  of  gi-ace  j  yet  to 
[]thofe1  that  in  confciencc  believe  the  faid  baptilin 
to  be  unclean  it  is  unclean.  Both  that  and  mecr 
ruling  elders,  though  'we  approve  of  them,  yet 
our  grounds  arc  meer  interpretations  of,  and  not 
any  cxprefs  fcripture.  I  cannot  fay  fo  clearly  of 
any  thing  elfe  in  our  religion,  neither  as  to  faith 
or  praclice  Now  muft  We  force  our  interpreta- 
tion, upon  others  Pope-like  !  In  verfe  5  of  that 
chapter  the  fpirit  of  God  S^ith,  Let  every  oie  be 
fully  perjwadcd jn  his  own  mind;  therefore  this 
being  the  exprefs  will  of  God,  who  fliall  make  a 
contrary  law,  and  fay,  perfwadcd  or  not  pcrfwad- 
ed  you  lliall  do  as  we  fay,  and  as  we  do  !  and  verfc 
23,  ivhat  is  not  of  faith  isfn  ;  therefore  there  muft 
be  a  word  for  what  we  do,  and  we  muft  (cc  and 
believe  it,  or  elfe  we  fin  if  we  do  it.  And  Deiit. 
12  and  lall,  as  we  muft  not  add,  nor  may  we  de- 
iniriiih  :  ,what  is  commanded  we  nuiO:  do.  All* 
»8rii  ©f  Matthew.     And  wliat  piinciples  isperfo- 

cutioii 


[16693        U  NEW-Elb^ GLAND.        393 

cutioii  grounded  upon  ?  Dominiationi  2nd  inralli- 
biliry  :  this  we  teach  is  the  truth.     But  arc  we 
infallible,  and  have  we   the   government  ?  God 
made   none,  no   not  the  apoftles  who  could  noS 
err,  to  be  lords  ever  faith  ;  therefore  what  men* 
ftrous  pride   is  this  !  At  this  rate  any  perfwafioa 
geting  uppermoit  may  command,  and  perlecute 
them  that  obey  thenx  not  ;  all  non-conformifts 
inuft  be    ill-ufed.      Oh  wicked  and  monftrous 
principle  I  What  ere  you  can  plead  for  yourfelvcR 
again  (I  thofe  that  perfecute  you,  thofe  whom  ye 
pcrfecute  may   plead   for  themfclves  againft  yoUr 
Whatever  they   can  fay  againft  the  poor    men,, 
your    enemies    Hiy  againft  you  ;  and  ^  what  I  is 
tliat  horrid    principle  crept   into   precious  New- 
England,   Who  have  felt  what  perfecution  is,  and- 
have  alwixys    pleaded  for  liberty  of  confcierxe  ; 
Have  not  thofe  run  equal  hazards  with  you   for 
the  enjoyment  of  their  liberties  ;  and  bow  do  you 
cad  a  reproach  upon  lis,  that  are  congregational  ia 
England,  and   furnifh  our  advcrfarics  with  wei- 
pons  againft  lis  ?  We  Wuih   and   are   nlled  with 
fliime  and  confuflon  of  face,  when  we  hear  of 
thefe  things.     Bear  brother  !  we  pray  that  Cod 
would  open  your  eyes  and  perfwade  the  hearts  of 
your  magcftrates,  that  they  may  no  more  fiiife 
tbe'ir  fellow  ft:  rvants.,    nor  thus    greatly  injure  us 
their  bretheren  ;  and  that  they  may  not  thus  dif- 
honor  the  name  oF  God  .andcaufe  his  people  to  bes 
reproached,  nor  the  holy  way  of  God  (the  con« 
gregational  way)  Mp  be  evil  fpoken  of.     My  r'eaf 
brother  'pardon  ray  plRinnefs  and  freedom,  for 
the   zeal  of  God's   houfe   conftralns  mc.     What 
caufe  have  wc  to  blefs  God  who  gives  us  to  find  *' 
favour  in  the  eyes  of  hiG  JVIajefty  1  and  to  pray: 
God  to  continue  him,  and  to  requite  it  graciouHy 
to  him  in  fpirxtual  blelfmgj.     Well,  ftrivc  I  bcfeech. 

I)  d  4  VOH 


194    HISTORY  OF  THE  Baptists 

you  with  God  by  prayers,  and  ufe  all  lawful  ways 
ind  mcariS,  even  to  your  greateft  hazard,  thai 
tliofc  poor  men  may  be  fet  free.  For  be  afl'ured, 
this  liberty  of  conrcience,as  wc  (late  it,  is  the  caufc 
of  God  ;  and  hereby  you  may  be  a  means  to  di- 
vert the  judgments  of  God  from,  falling  upon 
dear  New-England,  for  our  Father  in  faithfulnefs 
S\'i\\  zQlict  us  if  we  repent  not.  Doth  not  the 
Very  gofpelfay,  ivhai  incafure  its  mete  to  others  jh all 
be  meafwsdto  us  ?  God  is  not  unrighteous :  what 
is  more  provoTting  to  him  than  the  perfecuting  oi 
liis  faints  !  Touch  iM  mine  ancinted^  and  do  my  pro* 
■phets  no  harm  \  did  he  not  reprove  kings  for  their 
fah  f  Thofe  who  have  the  uftclion  the  apoflle 
John  fpeaks  of,  and  the  fpirit  and  gift  of  prophe- 
iies.  With  what  marvellous  ftrength  did  holy 
Mr.  Burroughs  urge  that  place  againft  ptrfecu- 
tion  ?  Pcrfecution  is  bad  in  wicked  men,  but  it 
is  mod  abominable  in  good  men,  who  have  fuf* 
fered  and  pleaded  for  liberty  of  confcience  them- 
felvcs.  Difcountenance  men  that  certainly  err, 
but  peffecute  them  not*  I  mean  grols  errors* 
Well)  >ve  are  travelHng  to  our  place  of  reft  :  with 
joy  we  look  for  new  heavens  and  new  earth.  We 
iliall  efe  long  be  in  the  fulncfs  of  blifs,  holy, 
harmlefs  in  the  bofom  of  Chrift.  Let  us  pray, 
the  earth  may  be  filled  with  the  knowledge  of  the 
Lord,  that  they  may  not  hurt  nor  deftroy  in  all 
liis  holy  mountain.  The  Loid  grant  we  may  by 
the  next  hear  better  thinQ;;s  of  the  ravernment  of 
New- England.  My  moft  hearty  love  to  your  bro- 
ther, and  to  all  our  brethren.  My  refpe(5ls  and  fer- 
vice  to  my  dear*  coufm  Leveret,  and  to  Mr.  Francis 
"Willoughby.  The  Lord  make  them  inftrumental, 
for  his  glory,  in  helping  to  reform  things  among 
you.     i  fhail  be  glad   to  hear  from  you.     I  r«- 

Micmber 


[1669]    IN  NEW.E.N  GLAND.        395 

member  our  good  old  fwcet  communion  togeher, 
'My  dear  brother,  once  again  pardon  me,  for  1  am 
affe<5ted  !  I  fpcak  for  God,  to  vhofe  grace  I  com- 
mit you  all  in  New-England  ;  huaibly  craving 
your  pryers  for  us  here,  and  remain, 

Your  afleclionate  brother. 

Robert  Maxcall."* 
Finfbury  near  Moreficld, 
the  25th  of  March,  1669. 

Never  did  I  fee  the  true  nature  of  thefc  con- 
troverfies  better  fated  by  any  on  that  fide.  Our 
apponcnts  have  no  better  grounds  for  accufing  us 
of  denying  fcripture  confequcnccs,than  becauiewc 
refufe  to  yield  to  their  interpretations,  vhich  ap- 
pear to  us  unfound.  Neither  are  wc  any  more  . 
ri^id  than  themfeives  ;  though  becaufe  they  hold 
to  two  or  three  ways  of  baptizing, ♦while  we  be- 
lieve our  Lord  has  inftitutcd  but  one  bapt'ifm^  they 
accufc  us  with  it,  if  we  cannot  act  v/ith  them  as 
baptized  perfons,  who  appears  to  us  not  to  ho 
fuch-  The  plain  qneftion  is,  wliither  each  one 
fliall  be  allovyed  to  2.0:  the  full  perfuajion  of  his  cwn 
mindy  according  to  God*s  law,  or  v/h*other  the 
ruUng  party  in  the  ftate  fliali  make  that  law  void 
by  their  traditions  f  The  learned  and  much  efleem- 
ed  Dr.  Goodwin,. Dr.  Owen,  Mr.  Nye,  Mr.  Caryl 
and  nine  other  noted  diflcnting  minifters  in  Lon- 
don wrote  to  the  Maflachufetts  governor,  upon 
thcfe  things  at  the  fame  time,  and  laid, 

"  We  Ihall  not  here  undertake  to  make  any 
apology  for  the  perfons,  opinions  and  pra.(flices  o£ 
thofe  who  are  ccnfured  among  you.  You  know 
©ur  judgement  and' practice  to  be  contrary  unto 
theirs,  even  as  yours  j  wherein  (God  aftifting) 
wc  fhall  continue  to  the  enct  Neither  Ihall  ws 
\  rctura 

*  S,  Hubbard's  collef^ion. 


59^      HTSTORT  or  thk  BAPTISTS 

return  anyanfwer  to  the  reafon  of  the  Reverend 
icldcrs,  for  thejuitificutmn  cf  your  proceedings,  as 
fiot  bemgwiihngto  engage  in  the  management 
of  any    he  leali  dillerencc  v^ith  perfons  wl-fom  xve 
io   much  love   and  honor  in  the  Lord.     But  the 
lum  of  all  which  at  picfcnt  we  Ihall  offer  to  you 
*s,  that  though  the  court  might  apprehend,  that 
tney  nad  gtotiods   in    general   warrantinrr  their 
procedure  (in  fuch  cafes)  in  theM-ay  wherein  they 
liave  proceeded  ;  yet  thatthey  have  any  rule- or 
command  rendering  their  fo  proceeding  indifpcii. 
my  neceflary,   ^nder  all   cir<ran.{lan?e.  of  Les 
■    and  places,  we  are  altogher  ijnfatisncd  ;  and  w- 
peed  not   reprefent  unto  you  how  the  cafe  ftands 
wiLh  oarfcivcs,  and  ail  your  brctlKrcn  and  com- 
panions m  tne  ferviccs  of  thefe  latter  days  in  thcfo 
nations.     We  are  fure  you  would  be  unwilling  to 
put  an  aovafitage  into  the  hands  offome,  vJha 
leer:  pietences,  and  occaliuns  againft  our  mjci ty 
and  to  remf  c.rce  the  i^rmer  rigour.     Now  we  can- 
not deiiy  but  rliis  hath  already  in  forne  meafure 
been  cTone,  m  that  it  hath  been   vogued,  that  per, 
ions  A   your   way,   principles  and  .'j.irit,  cannot 
Dear  with difkntci s  from  them.  And  as  this  n-rcatly 
rellecls  on  us,    fo  fo^e  of  us  have  obfencd  how 
already  it  has  turned  unto  your  own  difadvantage. 
We  leave  it   to  your  wifdom  to  determine,  whe, 
tner   under  all    thefe  circumftances,  and  Amdry 
o.hers  of  the  hke  nature  that  might  be  added,  it 
be^noc  adviiabk  at  prefcnt  to  put  an  end  unto  the 
luucnngs  and  confinements  of  the  pcrfons  cenfur- 
cd,  and  to  reaore  then^  to  tlieir  former  liberty.  * 
♦  .,  .  You 

At  a  caurt  of  ,m»nt^  hdi  at  Poflon  March    2,  ,6^0 
.  Rovcr„.or.nd  n..gmr.r«  bdng  .nembJ.d  i«  council  Ji^l' 

^-viU.^  U,a.t:,  MOW  mdufaiivc  by  iht  fcntai.ce  of  t>ie  genc-^ 


[Tf^So]       IV  NHW-ENGLAND.       39; 

You  have  the  advantage  of  tjuth  and  order; 
you  hiive.  the  gifts  and  learning  of  an  abicminiiliy 
to  manage  and  defend  them  ;  you  have  the  care 
•and  vigiiency  of  a  very  worthy  magifiracy  to 
countenance  and  protect  them,  and  to  preferve 
th J  peace  j  and  above  all,  you  have  a  blefled  Lord 
and  ivlafter,  who  hath  the  keys  of  David,  who 
openeth  and  no  man  fliutteth,  living  forever  to 
tasic  care  of  his  own  concernments  among  his 
faints  j  and  affuredly  you  need  not  he  difquiet- 
cd.,  through  fome  few  perfons  (though  their  owa 
infirmity  and  weakne^,  or  through  tjicir  ignor* 
ance,  d.irknefs  and  prejudices)  fhouid  to  their  dif* 
advantage  turn  out  of  the  way,  in  fome  leller 
matters,  into  by-paths  of  their  own.  We  only 
make  it  our  Iiearty  reqneft  to  you,  that  you  would 
trull  God  with  his  truths  and  ways  lb  far,  as  to 
lufpend  al!  rigorous  proceedings  in  corporal  re« 
ftrain'-s  i+r  punifliments,  on  perfons  that  diifent 
from  you,  and  practice  the  principles  of  their  dif- 
fent  without  danger,  or  diitarbance  to  the  civil 
peace  ofthe  place.     Dated  March  25,  1669." 

We  may  rcafonably  conclude  that  this  addrefs 
did  Tiot  reach  Bofton  till  May  or  June,  and  Dr. 
Mather  lays,  "  I  cannot  fay  that  this  excellent  let- 
ter hid  immediately  all  the  effect  it  fhouid  have  had." 
So  that  though  he  alio  as  that  fome  of  thofc  bap- 
tilts  were  "  truly  godly  men,"  *  yet  it  is  likely 

that 
•ourt ;  the  keepcm  of  the  prifon«,  under  whofe  cuftody  they  nowr 
arc,  ;rc  ordered  co  permit  ttem  liberty  for  three  days,  to  vifit 
thdr  fawiliei,  as  Aio  to  apply  thexnfclvcj  to  any  that  arsablcand 
onhjiox,  for  their  further  convincmcnt  of  their  many  irregula- 
rities in  th«fc  pradifes  fot  which  they  were  fentanccd  T  thefaitf 
keepers  taking  the  engagements  of  the  fa  id  Gould  and  Turner, 
or  other  fuiBcient  ciuiion,  for  their  return  again  to  prison  »^  ^^^ 
find  of  the  faid  three  days. 

By  i/ic  c  uticil,  EdwarJ  Ra-afon  ftcretarj.'[ 

*  M^gwija,  b.  7,  p.  27, 28. 


39?      HISTORY  Of  TMi  BAPTISTS 

that  they  were  imprifoned  a  year  or  more,  only 
for  not  banifliing  themfelvs  for  their  religion.  Af- 
ter their  reieafe,  elder  Gould  went  and  li\'ed  upon 
an  Ifland  in  the  harbour  ;  where  thcy^itld  their 
meeting  for  foQie  years.  But  this  could  not  make 
the  ruling  party  eafy,  as  tke  following  letter  to 
Mr.  Clarke   and  his   church  at  Newport  plainly 

"  Beloved  brethreji  andfijlers^  I  mofl  heartily 
ialute  you  all  in  our  dear  Lord,  who  is  our  alone 
Saviour  in  all  our  troubles,  that  we  his  poor  mem-* 
l)ers  are  exercifed  with  for  his  name  lake.  And 
blclTed  be  God  our  father  that  has  given  us  fuch 
a  high  pricft,  that  wa«  touched  with  the  feeling  of 
our  infirmities',  which  is  no  fmall  comfort  to  the 
fouls  of  his  poor  fuffering  ones  ;  the  which 
through  grace  the  Lord  liath  been  pleafed  to  make 
us  in  fome  mcafure  pertakcrs  of.  And  at  this 
prcfent  our  dear  brother  William  Turner,  a  pri- 
foncr  for  the  Lord's  caufe  in  Boflon,  has  fome 
good  experience  of,  both  of  that  which  Paul  de- 
lired,  to  be  conformable  to  our  Lord  in  his  fufi'er- 
ings,  and  alfo  of  the  promifes  of  our  Lord,  in  the 
giving  forth  the  comfort  of  his  fpirit,  to  uphold 
us  all,  for  that  he  is  fenfible  of  the  fuflcrings  of  his 
poor  members,  and  is  ready  to  give  forth  fupplies 
as  are  moit  fuitable  to  luch  a  condition  as  he  calls 
his  to.  Friends  I  fuppofe  you  have  heard  that 
both  he  and  brother  Gould  were  to  be  taken  up  ; 
but  only  brother  Turner  is  yet  taken  and  has  been 
about  a  month  in  prifon.  Warrants  arc  in  two 
marfhal^s  hands  for  brother  Gould  a?fo^  but  he  is 
not  yet  taken,  becaufe  he  lives  on  Noddles-liland, 
and  they  wait  to  take  him  at  town.  The  caufe 
why  they  are  put  in  prifon  is  the  old  fentance  of 
the  general  court  in  68,  bccaufc  they  would  not 

remove 


[1670]     IN  N  E  W-E  N  G  L  A  N  D/     ,399 

remove  themfelvcs.  There  were  fix  maglHratcs 
hands  to  the  warrant  to  take  them  up,  viz.  Mr. 
Bradftreet,  major  Dcnifon,  Thomas  Danforth, 
captain  Gookin,  major  Willard  and  Mr.  Pinchon. 
But  all  the  deputies  of  the  court  voted  their  hber- 
ty,  except  one  or  two  at  moft,  but  the  magiilrates 
carry  againll  all  ;  and  becaufe  fome  others  of  the 
niagiftratcs  were  abfent,  and  fome  that  were  there 
were  Gallio  like,  ai  one  Mr.  R.  B.  G.  *  But  blefl- 
ed  be  the  Lord  who  takes  notice  of  what  is  done 
to  his  poor  fervants,  though  men  little  regard. 
The  town  and  country  is  very  much  troubled  at 
our  troubles  ^  and  efpecially  the  old  church  in 
Bofton,  and  their  elders,  both  Mr.  Oxonbrige  and 
Mr.  Allen  have  labored  abundantly,  1  think  as 
if  it  had  been  for  their  beft  friends  in  the  world.* 
Many  more  gentlemen  and  folid  chriflians  arc  for 
our  brothers  deliverance  ;  but  it  cannot  be  had  ; 
a  very  great  trouble  to  the  town  ;  and  they  had 
gotten  iix  maglftratcs  hands  for  his  deliverance, 
but  could  not  get  the  governors  hand  to  it.  Some 
fay  one  end  is,  that  they  may  prevent  others  com- 
ing 

*  1  fuppofe  Richard  Belllngham  governor.  Thui  a  few  men 
»t  the  head  of  the  government,  by  the  clergy's  help,  carried  on, 
their  oppreiiions  againft  the  minds  of  thofe  worthy  rulers,  Wil- 
loughby,  Symonds  and  Leveret  ;  a  whole  houfc  of  deputies, 
and  the  beft  part  of  the  whole  comnnunity.  "Thai  magif- 
trites  fliould  thus  fufPer  thefe  incendiaries,  and  difturberi  of 
the  public  peace,  might  jaftly  be  wondered  at,  rf  it  did  not  ap- 
pear  thas  they  have  been  invited  by  them  unto  a  participation  of 
the  fpoil,  and  hRve  therefore  thought  tit  to  tr;iJte  ufe  of  their  to- 
vetcoufntfs  and  pride,  as  a  means  whereby  to  incrcafe  their 
own  power.  For  who  does  not  fee  that  theje  g'ocd  mtn  zvs  in- 
deed ™»re  minlrtcM  of  the  government,  then  miniftcrs  of  the 
gofpel."     Lockt  en  tfleratioft,  p.  71,^2. 

*  Mr.  Dcvenport  died  March  15,  1670,  aged  77  ;  and  Mr, 
John  Oxonbriige,  who  left  England  after  the  cruci  Bartholomew 
aft  in  1662,  was  fettled  in  his  ilead,  colUgue  with  Mr.  J»aacf 
All«i,  who  cjuae  from  thence  about  the  fame  time. 


4G5    H  I  S  T  O  n  Y  Of  THE  B  A  P  T  1 1  3 

ing  out  of  England  ;  therefore  they  would  dif* 
courage  them  by  dealing  with  us  ;  a  fad  thing  if 
fo  ;  when  God  would  have  Moab  be  a  refuge 
for  his  baniflied  ones,  and  that  fhriilians  will  not* 
But  God  will  be  a  refuge  for  his,  which  is  our 
comfort.  We  keep  our  meeting  at  Noddlcs-iiland 
every  firft  day,  and  the  Lord  is  adding  fome  fouls 
to  us  flill,.  and  is  enlightning  fomc  others  ;  the 
pricfts  are  much  inraged.  Tlie  Lord  has  given 
us  another  elder,  one  John  RulTell  fenior,  a  graci- 
ous wife  and  holy  man  that  lives  at  Woburn, 
where  we  have  five  brethren  near  that  can  meet 
with  him  ;  and  they  meet  together  a  firit  days 
"when  they  cannot  come  to  us,  and  1  hear  there  arc 
fome  more  there  looking  that  way  vfith  them. 
Thus  dear  friends  I  have  given  you  an  account  of 
our  troubles,  that  you  may  be  directed  in  your 
prayers  to  our  God  for  us ;  as  alfo  of  the  good» 
nefs  of  God  to  us,  and  the  proceedings  of  his  good 
work  in  oar  hands,  both  to  our,  and  I  doubt  not 
to  your  joy  and  comfort.  That  God  may  be 
glorified  in  all,  is  our  earncft  defire  find  prayer,  to 
Ood  in  all  his  difpcnfations  to  us.  Brother  Tur- 
jier's  family  is  very  weakly,  and  himfelf  too.  I 
fear  he  will  not  trouble  them  long  ;  only  this  is 
our  comfort,  we  hear  if  he  dies  in  prifon,  they  fay 
they  will  bury  him.  And  thus  my  dearfirends^ 
1  defire  we  may  be  remembered  in  your  prayers 
to  our  heavenly  father,  who  can  do  abundantly 
above  what  we  can  afk  or  think  :  ''O  whom  I 
commend  you  all,  ar^d  reft,  your  tiiefid  and 
brother, 

Nov.  30,  1 670. 

Thi.3  occafiofled  the  followmg  cpiftle  to  them, 
yh- 

"  UuTt 


];i67i]       im   NEW-EiSlGL  AND.      40X 

"  Usrro  to  the  church  of  Jefiis  Chrift,  meeting 
bn  Noddles -ifia id  in  New-Englaod  ;  grace,  niercy 
and  peace  be  mightily  ihovrcrcd  down  upon  you 
all.  with  fu'ch  daily  fappiies  to  ev?ry  ore  0^ 
yj.i.  according  to  your  various  conditions, 
ilrcvjjthniug  the  weak,  and  making  3'ou  to  prcfs 
iforwud  wich  lifo  and  ccuragious  hearts,  being 
Vail. :  I.  •''or  the  Lord  and  his  holy  truths,  holding 
out  to  tac  end  in  whrtt  ye  have  received  ;  not  16 
look,  back,  biit  prefling  forward  to  know  more  o£ 
his  holy  v/itl,  like  children  deiiring  the  fincera 
milk  of -the  word,  to  g"ow  up  therein,— ^Samuel 
Hubbar.i.  a  very  poor  and  unworthy  one,  yet  by 
great  grace  found  in  my  finful  eftate,  among  thej 
naners  in  a  (inful  world,  in  a  fmful  age,  sand  by 
free  grace  called  by  a  divine  call  or  power,  being 
flotable  to  refift  it, butby  grace  iliewed  that  itwadr 
his  will  to  call  imners  that  were  weary  and  heavy 
laden  to  come  unto  hini,  making  a  gr?xious  prO" 
mile,  that  they  Ihould  find  reit  to  their  fouls. 
Mat.  1 1.  And  by  his  grace  hath  made  me  will- 
ing, in  my  very  weak  meafure,  co  be  g"oi;]g  on  iq. 
what  he  hath  flic  wed  me  :  thou^rh  I  find  a  law  in 
my  members,  contrary  to  God's  \vo\j  law,  which 
js  written  in  my  heart,  leading  me  captive  both, 
in  thoughts  words  and  deeds,  which  is  ^  great  bur* 
den,  and  makes  me  go  heavily,  "i^wt  bleill;.!  be 
God  n^y  rock,  who  hath  fliewed  me  that  it  is  no$ 
fey  my  works,  but  by  faith  in  our  precious  Re-* 
decmer,  I  am  accepted  with  the  Father.  Not 
thereby  taken  off  from  ^endeavouring'  to  keep  ali 
his  holy  commandments  and  ordinances,  but  with 
righteoijs  Zacharias  and  Elizabeth,  deiirous  to  ba 
found  blamlefi  when  our  Lord  and  King  Jcfus 
fhall  come,  and  by  him  enabled  with  joy  to  {aj^ 
T^is  if  m'j  Lord,  I  have  vjaited  for  hm  >  when  ygi^ 


402       HISTORY  or  the  BAPTISTS 

with  others  fhall  meet  and  ling  the  fong  of  Mofes 
and  the  Lamb,  Ilakhijah  to  God  moll  High,  &«. 
Dear  and  ptecious  hearts,  my  love  is  fuch  towards 
you,  for  what  of  God  is  in  you,  and  what  great 
grace  hath  appeared  towards  you,  in  bearing  you 
up  to  fraud  in  this  hour  of  temptation,  that  your 
feet  arc  not  moved,  and  your  arms  are  made  flrong 
by  the  mighty  God  of  Jacob  ;  yea,  not  only  fo, 
but  hath  crowned  your  endeavours  with  ableflingf 
of  imrreafe  of  fuch  precious  helps,  as  I  hear  you 
have,  in  which  I  rejoice, defiring  gready  of  theLord 
that  he  would  be  flill  with  you  to  the  end  of  your 
race,  Dear  friends,  it  was  upon  my  heart  to  have: 
given  you  a  vilit,  w^hercby  I  might  have  been  rc- 
frelhed  by  your  mutual  love,  as  I  have  been  to  fee 
your  precious  order  in  the  gofpel ;  but  it  has  pleaf- 
cd  our  havenly  Father  to  vilit  rac  and  my  deai" 
wife,  by  a  fore  ihoke  in  taking  away  our  only 
fon  Samuel ;  *  all  v/e  had  ;  a  m.an  grown  (whofe 
we  arc  alfo.)  But  God  of  his  graccs^hi^th  born  U5 
lip,  blefled  be  his  name  :  by  which  I  have  been 
very  much  difappointed  as  in  coming  to  you.  fo 
in  many  other  things,  and  am  learning  in  every 
condition  to  be  content  ;  a  hard  leflbn  to  learn  I 
find.  Dear  brethren  and  fifters,  what  ani  I  poor 
worm,  to  inform  you !  but  to  ftir  up  your  pure? 
minds  that  you  would  be  holding  fail  what  you 
ha^^e  received,  thu,t  you  may  not  loofe  your  re- 
wards, for  this  is  a  declining  day.  But  knoWthe 
reward  is  laid  up  in  moft  fure  hands,  for  thofc 
who  hold  out  to  the  end.     1  bcfecch  you  Dray  widi 

all 

*  He  W2S  in  his  21ft  year,  a  very  proiwiting  youth.  Mr. 
Hubbard's  daughter  RutH^  m.rried  to  Ruber:  Burdicki  and  E»- 
thld  inarried  to  Jofcph  Cliirkc  jun'r,  bavc  It;ft  a  large  pofterity 
Zi  VYcfteriv-;  and  Rachel.  m;irr!cd  to  Andrcvv  Langvvorthy,  K*ft 
9  1  uge  family  in  K-Mvport,  and  be  hoped  ihat  all  his  ctiiJisn,4i;<i 
CoiXi  i^f  hir  gfaidchikliCii  vverc  favingly  couveacii. 


[;i67t]       in   new. ENGLAND.       403 

all  manner  of  prayers,  and  for  me  poor  one,  that  I 
niiy  have  fuch  frcfh  fupplies  of  grace,  that  I  may 
ftand  faft  in  what  I  have  received  of  God,  and  no'fc 
deny  his  name,  knowhig  of  whom  I  have  received 
it.  Pray  for  mc  that  I  may  have  more  of  the 
fpirit  of  adoption,  to  cry  in  faith  Abba,  Father  ; 
more  of  faith  in  thofe  precious  promifes  made 
to  his  in  the  holy  fcriptures,  and  more  ftrength  to 
run  the  ways  of  his  holy  commandments  with 
more  deligiit  and  largnefs  of  heart  witiiout  par- 
tiality. Oh  !  my  dear  friends,  pray  for  Sion  ! 
they  that  love  her  fhall  profper.  Oh  !  my  bre- 
thren and  fillers  !  pardon  my  boldnefs,  and  accept 
in  love  my  weak  endeavours,  and  let  me  have 
from  you  a  few  lines,  which  would  be  as  a  dew 
upon  rny  poor  weak  heart,  which  needs  informa- 
tion, inflruction  and  comfort. — Thus  defiring 
your  profpcrity  in  your  inward  man,  and  out- 
ward man  alfo,  knowing  that  if  yc  feck  firil  the 
kingdom  of  God,  we  have  our  Lords  word  for  it, . 
that  all  other  thin2;s  fhall  be  added— ^CommitinGTc. 
you  to  the  Almighty  to  blefs  you  with  fpiritual 
blellings,  with  fuch  daily  frefli  fupplies  as  you 
iland  in  need  of,  whereby  ye  may  abound  for  his 
names  praife,  the  good  of  finnersflti'cngthenin'g  of 
faint?^,  comforting  one  another,  drawing  in  love 
ia  all  your  ways,  which  is  as  prccioi;s  ointment, 
giV-ing  forth  fuch  a  precious  favour  as  that  all 
V'lhriil's  virgins  may  love  aad  rejoice  in  you,  and 
blefa  God  on  your  behalf.  The  God  of  all  grace 
hz  with  you  all,  Amen.  My  wifedcHres  to  have 
-iCi-  afTcclionate  intirelcve  to  you  ail  remembered, 
Yuurpoor  v.'eak  brother  in  thebeft  relation. 

Samukl  Hubbard." 
Newport,  this  4th  day  of 
^Q    9th   Month,  1671. 


464      MlStdRt  ot  i-HE  BAPTISTS 

"  Dear  brother  and  fifler,  my  kind  love  andi 
tefpe:!  with  my  wife'Sj  be  remembered  to  your 
"wicu  all  the  reft  of  our  dear  friends,  hoping  you 
Welfare.  Thefe  few  lines  are  to.  let  you  under- 
fland,  that  your  losing  chriftian  letter  you  lent 
me  I  received,  for  w.hich  I  give  you  hearty  thanks. 
1. delivered  your  letter  according  to  your  defne, 
iand  it  vi'as  read  in  the  church,  wherein  wc  under- 
ftand  the  Lord  has  been  pleafed  to  take  away  your 
foil,  that  was  dear  unto  you.  God  louietinics 
tii.es  his  people  in  that  which  is  uioft  near  andi 
dear  to  themj  even  in  their  Ifaac's.  Jacob  muil 
J>arfe  with  his  Benjam.in,  znd  izy,  all  tbtjs  things  CKf^ 
Agninjl  ms  \  yet  the.  Lord  turned  ;t  about  for 
^aod  ^  arid  he  has  proir.ifed  that  aU  (hall  work 
lOr  good  unta  thofe  that  lovg  and  fear  him  ;  and 
what  he  deprives  us  of  in  the  creature,  he  is  able 
to  make  \v)  abundantly  Wi  himlelf.  The  good 
Lord  grant  it  may  be  io  with  you  !*«— Brother 
Turnei*.  lias  been  near  to  death,  but  through  nicr- 
iiy  is  revived, and  To  has  our  pauor Gould.  TheLordi 
icnake  lis  truly  thankful,  and  givelis  hearts  to  im- 
'  |)rove  them,  and  thofc  liberties  v/e  yet  enjoy  that 
■v^e  knovv  nofe  how  foon  may  b.e  taken  from  us. 
The  perfecnti ng  Spirit  begins  to  ftir  again.  Elder 
iRufTel  and  his  Ton,  and  brother  Fulter  are  pre- 
sented to  t';.*!  court  that  is  to  be  this  m.onth.  We 
defire  your  prayers  for  us,  that  the  Lord  would 
keep  lis,  that  we  m:iy  not  diflipnor  tkat  worthy 
jnanl'^  we  have  made  profeilion  of,  and  that  the 
Lord  ^Vould  ftill  ftahd  by  us,  and  be  feen  amongil 
\:3,  as  he  ha^  been  in  a  wonderful  manner  in  pre- 
fervirtg  of  us  until  this  day.  We  Ihoul.d  be  glad 
Xo  hear  how  it  is  with  you, 'and  delire  if  it  be  the 
"wiil  of  God,  that  love  and  peace  may  be  contimi- 
fd  betwixt  you  and  the  other  fccicty  ;  although 


[1^70       ii»  NEW-ENGLAND.       405 

fovL  may  differ  in  fame  things,  yet  that  there  may 
be  endeavours  to  keep  the  unity  of  the  fpirit  in 
the  bond  ot  peace,  and  2s  far  as  we  have  attained 
to  walk  by  the  fame  ruk-.  I  fliall  not  trouble  yoi^ 
any  further,  but  commit:  you  to  the  guidance  and 
jprotedion  of  the  Alniighty,  and  remain  your  unr 
if^'orthy  brother  in  the  bcft  relation. 

Benjajaim  Sweetser.*' 

Charleftown,  the  f^rfl  loth  month  71. 

The  ne-.t  news  from  them  is  as  follow.  "I 
perceive  you  have  heard  as  if  our  brother  RufTel 
had  died  in  prifon.  Through  grace  he  is  yet  in 
the  land  of  the  living,  and  out  of  prifon  bonds  j 
but  is  in  a  doubtful  way  as  to  recovery  of  his  out- 
ward health  ;  but  v/c  ought  to  be  quiet  in  the 
good  v/ili  and  pleaiure  of  our  God,  who  is  only- 
wife. — Ireniain  your  loving  brother, 

William  Hamlit." 

Bofton,  T4.,  of  the  4th  month,  1672. 

We  will  now  look  a  httle  back,  and  fee  how 
their  opprefTors  got  along.  The  breach  in  Bofton 
^hurch  afTecVed  many  ;  and  the  governor  appear- 
ed agaiall  the  new  party,  and  in  July  1669  called 
his  council  together,  fearing  he  faid,  "  afuddcn 
tumult,  fomc  pcrfons  attempting  to  fet  up  an 
^diiice  for  public  worfhlp,  which  was  appfehended 
by  authority  to  be  detrimental  to  the  public  peace." 
Bat  the  majority  of  the  council  were  for  not  hin- 
dering their  proceeding  On  May  11,  1670,  Mr, 
Dan  forth  of  Roxbury,  who  was  one  of  thofe  that 
hid  been  called  to  the  baptift  difpute  two  years 
before,  faid  to  tlie  affembly  in  his  election  fermon, 
*'  Is  not  the  temper,  (Complexion  and  countenance 
of  the  chnrche?  ftrangely  altered  !  Doth  not  a  care- 
lefs,  remifs,  flat,  dry,  cold,  dead  frame  of  fpirit 
grow  upon  us  fccrctly,    flrongly,   prodigioufly  t 

tlicy 


'4^5     HiSTpHY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

t'.cy  that  ha%'C  ordinances  arc  as  though  they  had 
none  ;  thev  thut  hear  the  word  as  thoiig-h  they 
heard  ic  not  ^  and  they  that  p^-ay  as  though  they 
pvaycd  not  ;  and  they  that  receive  facrainents  as 
though  they  received  tliem  not  ;  and  they  that 
are  exercUed  in  holy  tilings,  ufe  them  by  the  by 
as  matters  of  caftona  and  ceremony.  Pride,  con- 
tcntlon,  worldlinefs,  coveteouihefs,  luxury,  drunk- 
ennefs  and  uncleannefs  break  i\\  hke  a  flood  upon 
US  ;  and  good  men  grovi^  co-.d  in  their  love  to 
God,  and  one  another."  *>  Upon  which  the  houfe 
of  deputies  appointed  a  conuuittec,  to  enquire  in- 
to the  prevailing  evils  that  had  procured  the  di- 
vine difpleafurc  againfl  the  land  ;  and  they  report- 
ed thele  among  other  caufes,  via.  "  Decleniion 
from  the  prinrative  foundation  vt-ork,'irtnovation 
ill  doclrine  and  woriliip,  opinion  and  pradice  ; 
an  invafion  of  tht  rights,  liberties  and  privi- 
Iccres  of  chui'clies,  an  ufurpation  of  a  lordly  and 
prelatical  power  over  Go<i's  heritage,  fubvcrfion 
ofgofpci  order, &c."  They  then  goon  to  fpeak  of 
the  late  tranfactionof  the  elders, in  conftitutirgthe 
third  church  in  Bofion,  as  **  irregular,  iilegal  and 
diforderly."  But  thecflcct  was  fach,  that  amonsx 
frfty  deputies  in  tiieir  next  aliernbly,  there  were 
but  twenty  of  thofe  who  were  in  this  ;  and  then 
fifteen  miniilers  prefented  an  addrefs  to  the  new 
modled  houfe,  wherein  they  mention  their  former 
connexion  with  rulerslikeMofesandx'^aron,and  then 
Call  the  fitting  up  'of  faid  church  in  Bollon,  "  That 
weighty  and  worthy  tranfaclioti."  And  prevail- 
ed with  thi^  houfe  to  correct  and  declare  a^iainfl 
what  the  preceedino:  houfe  had  done  to  the  con-, 
trary.'  |  Such  \^^s  the  mhiiiicrial  influence  of  that 

day 

*  Prince's  Chriftian  hifl.  vol.  i,  p.  97, 
t  Miif.  hift.  vol.  I,  p.  i~2,  »'-4. 


[i67i]      IN    NEW-EN  GLAND.      407 

diy.  On  May  15,  1672,  tkc  aiTcmbly  ordered 
their  Liw-book  to  b"  re vlfed  and  reprinted  j  and 
therein  they  fay, 

"  Although  no  human  po^ver  be  Lord  over 
the  faich  and  conlcicn-jcs  of  m'.-a,  yet  becaufe  inch 
as  briifig  in  damnable  hcrelies,  tendinfj  to  the  fub- 
veriion  of  the  chriftian  faidi,  and  deftruclion  of 
the  fouls  of  men,  ought  duly  to  be  rcftained  from 
fuch  notorious  impietis  ;  it  is  therefore  ordered 
and  declared  by  the  court,  that  if  any  chriftiaa. 
within  this  jurifdiclion,  IhaH  go  about  to  fubvsit 
and  deftroy  the  chriiHan  faith  and  rcli,^ion,  by 
broaching  and  maintaining  any  damnable  here'iesfl 
as  denying  the  immortallity  of  the  foul,  or  refur- 
rectio©  of  die  body,  or  any  lin  to  be  repented  oB 
in  the  regenerate,  or  any  evil  done  by  the  outwani 
man  to  be  accoilnted  fin,  or  denying  that  Chril^ 
gave  himfelf  a  ranfom  for  our  lins,  or  fliall  aiiirm 
that  we  are  not  jiiftiJSed  by  his  death  and  rig^fte'^ 
©ufneis,  but  by  the  perfection  of  our  orwn  works, 
or  lliall  deny  the  morality  of  the  fourth  command- 
ment, or  fhall  openly  condemn  or  oppofe  the  bapiizin*; 
»f  infants^  or  JJyall  purpofe'y  depart  the  congregation 
(it  the  adminijlrat.oii  (f  that  ordwance,  or  i\:ij.]l  deny 
the  ordinance  of  magiftracy,  or  their  lawful  au- 
thority to  make  war,  or  to  i>u}iijl}  the  cutward 
breaches  of  the  firjl  table,  or  Ihall  endeavour  to  fe- 
duce  others  to  any  of  the  errors  andhercflcs  above, 
mentioned  ;  every  fuch  pcirfon  continuing  obfti- 
nate  therein  after  due  means  of  conviction,  fliali 
hcfentanced  to  banijhment.'*  * 

'Ihe  reader  may  hfre  obferve  what  advances 
they  had  made  tince  the  year  1644,  p.  150.  Thp 
two  articles  which  the  baptiils  own,  are  now 
fenced  with   a  much   more  formidable  catalogue 

*  Mii.  U\v-b©okprInt«d  1672.  p.  58,  59, 


4o8       HISTORY  of  the  BAPTISTS 

iaf  herefics  and  errors,  than  were  then  infertcd  m 
their  law  againft  them.  1  hough  they  flill  fall  far 
behind  their  mother,  the  church  of  England ;  for 
the  laft  man  that  Ihe  burnt  for  religion  was  % 
baptift,  and  in  the  warrant  for  his  burning,  the 
King  fays,  "  Whereas  the  reverend  father  in  God, 
Richard,  bifhop  of  Coventry  and  Litchfield,  hav- 
ing judicially  proceeded  in  the  examination,  hear- 
ing and  determining  of  a  caufe  of  hereiie  againft 
Edward  Wightman,  of  the  parifh  of  Bijrtoh  upori 
Trent,  in  the  dioceft  of  Coventry  and  Litchfield.j 
concerning  the  v/icked  herefies  of  the  Ebi/pnitcs, 
Ccrcnthians,  Valentinians,  Arrians,  Macedonians^ 
of  Simon  Magus,  of  Manes,  Manichees,  of  Photi* 
nuSy^nd^nabapti/ij, 'And  of  other  hcrttieal,  exe- 
crable and  7inhfard  of  opi?iio7is,  by  the  inftinct  of 
fatan,  by  him  excogitated  and  holden,*' of  \vhicli 
they  went  on  to  name  fixtecn  articles,  many  of 
them  fo  foolifh  and  inconliftant,  that  as  the  hiflo- 
rian  obferves,  he  muft  be  an  idiot  or  a  madman  ic> 
hold  them  all.  But  thret  of  them  are  in  thefe 
words,  viz.  "  13  That  the  baptizing  of  infants  is 
an  abominable  cuftom.  14,  That  there  ought  BOt 
in  the  church  the  ufe  of  the  Lord's  fupper  to  be 
celebrated  in  the  elements  of  bread  and  wine  ; 
and  the  ufe  of  baptifm  to  be  celebrated  in  the  ele- 
ment of  water,  AS  they  arc  now  praclifed  in  the 
church  of  England  ;  but  the  ufe  of  baptifm  is  to 
be?,dmini{lercd  in  water,  only  to  converts  of  fuffici- 
cnt  age  and  underftanding,  converted  from  in- 
fidelity to  the  faith.  16.  That  chrifiiianity  is  not 
wholly  profeffed  and  preached  in  the  church  oi 
England  but  only  in  part.'*  For  thefe  things 
Mr.  Wightman  was  biu-nt  at  Litchfi<;ld,  April  1 1, 
i6ii,  by  a  warrant  from  that  King,  Vho  inth^ 
preface  to  our  bible  is  compared  to  the  rijin^juv^  *^ 

*  Crolby'sluft.  v^l.  i,p.  igj,  aniappeadix,  t-  r,   -, 


[1672]       iM  NEW-ENGLAND.       409 

and  whofe  tyranny  drove  our  fathers  into  New* 
England. 

The  above  clearly  (hews  that  the  church  of 
England  far  exceeded  her  daughters  in  this  land, 
both  in  the  number  of  hard  names  they  impoled 
upon  thebaptiftsj  and  alfo  in  their  degree  of  cruel- 
ty towards  them  ;  though  a  lamentable  imitation 
of  thofe  evils  appear  in  this  hiftory.  And  to  in- 
force  the  forecited  law  among  the  ref^  the  Mafla- 
chufetts  placed  the  following  m^:o  in  the  title 
page  of  their  lawbook  ;  ivhofoever  refiHeth  the 
■power  ^  refijieth  the  ordinance  of  God,  and  they  that  re' 
ftfi  receive  to  themfehes  damnation.  But  whether 
the  afluming  and  exerting  oifuch  power  in  religi- 
ous affairs,  be  not  the  way  to  damnation,  rather 
than  the  refiftance  of  it,  deferves  the  ferious  con- 
fideratioQ  of  all  ?  Some  years  ago,  when  the  pref- 
byterians  had  the  upper  hand  in  England  [See  p. 
174]  Mr.  Samuel  Oates,  a  noted  and  fuccefeful 
baptift  minifter,  was  imprifoned,  put  in  irons  and 
tried  for  his  life  as  a  murderer,  at  Chelmsford 
affize,  only  becaufe  Ann  Martin,  a  young  woman 
that  he  had  baptized,  happened  to  die  a  few  weeks 
after.  But  when  his  cafe  came  to  be  tried,  her 
mother  and  others  declared  upon  oath,  "  that  fhe 
was  in  better  health  for  feveral  days  after  her  bap- 
•tifm  than  flie  had  been  for  fome  years  before  ;  and 
was  feen  to  walk  abroad  very  comfortably,"  fo 
that  he  was  acquitted.  * 

Akd  now  when  the  epifcopalians  had  gotten  the 
power  again  into  their  hands,  Mr.  Neal  truly  ob- 
fcrves,  that  the  encniies  to  the  baptills  tried  to 
ruin  them,  "  by  as  unparalled  a  piece  of  villany  as 
ever  wa^  heard  of.  A  phamphlet  was  publilhed 
in  London  in  1673,  entitled,  Mr,  Baxter  baptized 
F  f  f  in 

♦Ibi<i:  p,  237,  238. 


410      HISTORY  or  the  BAPTIST!^ 

in  bkod  ;  or^ajad  h'ljlory  of  the  unparalled  cruelty  of 
//'^ANABAPTISTS  in  N  Ev-  E  N  G  L  A  w  D  ;  faithjufl;^ 
rtlating  the  cruel  ^  barbarous  and  bloody  murder  of  Mr. 
Joft^b  Baxter,  an  othodox  m'lntjler,  who  ivas  k'tHed  by 
the  AN  aHaptuts,  and  his  Jh'in  moji  cruelly /lead  ojf 
from  his  body.  PubUlhcd  by  his  mournful  brother 
Benjamin  Baxter,  living  in  Fenclmrch-ftreet, 
London.  This  pamphlet  was  licenced  by  Dr. 
Parker,  the  arrh-biliiops  chaplain,  and  cried  about 
ftrcets  by  tht  C*  Lwker.s,  *  1  he  author  rcprefcnt* 
his  brother  as  worfting  the  anabaptilts  in  a  public 
<Ufputation  at  Bofton  j  for  whicii,  by  way  of  re- 
venge, they  fent  fc?ur  ruffirs  in  vizors  to  his  houfe 
a  Httle  w.iy  out  of  town ^  who  after  they  had  bound 
Ilia  wife  and  three  children,  frft  whipped,  and 
then  {lead  him  alive.  The  author  concludes,  I 
have  puWiihed  ti^is  narrative  in  firfttuam  rci  mc 
mariam,  that  the  world  may  fee  the  fpirit  and  tem- 
per of  thofe  men,  and  that  it  may  ftand  a3  an  eter- 
nal memorial  of  their  hatred  to  all  orthodox  mini* 
iters.*'  But  v/hen  fearch  •yv'as  made  by  au- 
thority, they  GOTdld  find  no  account  of  fuch  a 
minifter  as  Jofiah  Baxter  in  New-England,  nor  of 
his  brothev  Benjamin  in  London.  I'he  whole 
ftory  was  a  naked  and  malicious  forgery,  f  and 
verified  the  words  of  Laclantious,  in  the  next 
century  after  Conliantine  firft  introduced  the  cuf- 
tom,  of  fiipporting  fuch  minifters  by  force  as  the 
court  called  orthodox.  Sai<l  he,  "  among  thofe, 
wliO'  fock  poiver  2i\\d  gain  from  their  religion,  there 
will  nc-^rer  be  wanting  an  inchnation  to  forge  and 
Me  iov'it,'^  | 

,|i        ■  As 

*  Yes!,  it  went  off  fo  current  ilnst  a  fccond  cdliicri  was  got 
int»  the  prefs  in  a  few  weeks,  pjrker  was  thought  to  lie  iw  ■iM" 
thor,  Crofbv 

f  Ne^rs  hii^ory  o^  N.  E.  vol.- 1,  p.  374,  37^, 
X  Mividlctun's  Icuer  fruno  Kom«,  p.  97, 


f!(5733        J^  NEW-ENGLAND         4it 

As  a  contraft  to  the  above,  I  will  give  a  fur- 
ther tafte  of  the  fpirlt  oi  iholc  men  who  ha\  e  of- 
ten been  acculed  or  hatred  tg  orthodox  minii;trs- 
Iii  the  beginning  of  1O05  Miv^tephen  Mnmfordj  a 
feventh  day  baptift,  arrived  'from  London  at  Nev/- 
port,  and  Mr.,  iiiicox,  Mr.  Hubbard,  and  other 
members  of  Mr.  CUarke's  church  foon  embraced 
the  keeping  ot"  that  day  ;  but  in  1 67 1 ,  two  or  tin  ee 
men  who  had  io  done,  turned  back  to  the  obfer- 
vation  of  the  iirlt  day,  which  Mr.  Hubbard  and 
othsrs  called  apojiacy,  though  many  accounted  it 
a  reformation  ;  and  In  June  that  year  Mr.  Holmes 
preached  fmartly  againll  the  others  fcntiments  ; 
and  the  contention  increafed,  till  in  December 
;t  califed  an  open  feparation  ;  upon  hearing  of 
which  our  fuftering  fii^icra  in  the  Maffachuietts 
wrote  the  following  letter.  .  . 

"  To  brother  William  Hifcox,  and  the  reft  of 
€>ur  beloved  brethren  anti  (iilcrs,  that  obfcrve  the 
feventh  day  fabbath  with  him.  Ihe  church  of 
Chvift  in  or  near  Bofton  fends  greeting.  Bre- 
thren, beloved  of  the  Lord,  we  having  had  a  view 
of  the  proceedings  between  yoarfelv^s  and  the 
church,  cannot  but  be  grieved  to  tee  how  bui'y  the 
adverfary  hath  been,  and  how  eaiily  h«  hath  prc- 
I'ailed  upon  the  cor;  uptioiis  of  our  nature,  to 
make  breaches  and  div/ihons  among  thoic  v/hoiTi 
we  dire  not  but  jiidgc,  arc  united  unto  one  hjsad, 
even  Chrift  Jefus.  Aad  aithougii  we  dare  non 
judge  your  confciences  in  the  obfcrvation  of  a  day 
or  days  to  the  Lord,  yet  brethren,  your  judging 
them  that  have  fa  done,  and  we  hope  iiavc  not: 
unadvifedly  changed  their  minds,  to  be  c^iluUcs^ 
feems  to  our  underilandings  to  favour  too  much 
a  cenforious  fpirit.  And  we,  as  brethren,  made 
pertakers  of  the  fame  grace  of  God  tlu-ough  tl.e 

inriueixc 


412    HISTORY  OF  theBAPTITS 

influence  of  his  holy  fpirit,  not  being  enlightened 
in  the  obfervation  oi"  the  fcventh  day  as  a  labbath 
to  the, Lord,  fliall  hujnbiy  beltcch  you  all,  to  put 
on  oowels  of  mercy,,  and  not  be  io  llrait  in  )  our 
fpirits  towards  othei-s  ;  but  conllder,  the  only  wife 
God  giveth  to  each  foul  what  meafure  of  light 
and  know^ledge  he  pleafeth ;  and  it  is  he  mufl 
give  wifdoni  to  improve  that  meafure  of  know- 
ledge fo  given,  or  dfe  we  Ihall  make  a  bad  im- 
provement thereof.  Mow  brethren,  we  dare  not 
juftify  your  adlion,  nor  the  manner  of  the  actions 
that  have  been  between  you  and  the  church  ;  but 
Ihould  have  been  glad,  if  it  had  been  the  good 
pleafure  of  the  Lord,  that  you  could  have  borne 
each  with  other  in  the  matter  of  diiTcrence,  and  fo 
have  left  it  for  the  Lord  to  reveal  more  light  and 
knowledge  to  thofe  tliat  are  yet  in  the  dark. 
But  may  we  not  fay,  we  are  ail  in  the  dark,  and 
fee  and  know  but  in  part  ?  and  the  little  part  that 
any  one  knoweth,  he  is  ready  to  conceive  is  the 
"will  of  God,  and  fo  would  have  all  to  fee  with  his 
eyes,  and  underlland  with  his  undcrftanding  ; 
and  cannot  patiently  wait  on  the  Lord  till  he  ihall 
make  difcoveries  of  it  to  his  brethren  ;  fo  that 
our  quick,  narrow  and  impatient  fpirits  are  the 
cauie  of  fo  many  breaches  and  divifions  amongil 
the  citizens  of  Sion  at  this  day.  By  all  which  wc 
humbly  defire  the  Lord  may  make  you  and  us, 
and  all  the  Lord's  people, 'to  fee  the  corruption  of 
our  natures  that  is  yet  unfubdued,  that  fo  we  may 
all  with  iincerity  of  foul,  wait  on  him  according 
to  that  meafure  of  light  and  knowledge  that  each 
of  us  have  received  from  him.  And  now  bre- 
thren, our  delire  is,  if  it  may  be  the  good  pleafure 
of  God,  that  this  breach  may  be  healed  between 
you  and  the  church.     Our  prayers  fliall  be  to  the 

Lord 


[1673]     IN  NEW.EN  GLAND.  413 

Lord  for  you,  thai  each  one  of  you  may  be  truly 
fenfible,  wherein  you  have  fo  far  departed  from 
the  law  of  brotherly  love,  as  to  be  an  occafion  of 
grief  one  to  another,  and  to  the  Ifrael  of  God,  and 
have  given  an  occafion  to  the  enemies  to  fpeak  re- 
proachfully of  the  ways  of  God  ;  not  doubting 
but  you  w'll  be  willing  to  look  back  over  all  thole 
adions  pall:  in  thefe  differences,  and  if  you  find  any 
thing  contrary  to  the  mind  and  will  of  God,  be 
willing  to  own  it  both  to  God  and  his  people. 
Wc  OiciU  leave  you  to  h  s  care  and  guiding,  who 
is  able  to  comfort  you  in  all  your  tribulations,  and 
to  etlablilh,  ftrengthen  and  fettle  you  ;  to  whom 
we  leave  you,  and  remain  your  poor  unworthy 
brethren,  who  Ihould  rejoice  in  your  profperity, 
both  in  fpirituals  and  temporals.  By  the  apoint* 
ment  of  the  church  alTemblcd. 

Thomas  Gould, 
"William  TuKNER, 
:  'JopiN  Williams." 
Church  aflembled. 

Noddle's  ifland.  Sep.  i,  1672. 

This  fweet  letter,  ^Ir.  Hubbard  has  prefcrved, 
and  it  caufed  no  alianation  of  mind,  buc  there  re- 
mained a  great  nearnefs  between  them  as  long  as 
they  lived.  I  find  him  in  a  letter  the  next  year 
to  his  brother  Hamlit,  "  defiring  the  welfare  of 
the  whole  Sion,  and  the  brethren  with  you  ; 
brother  Fofter,  brother  Farlow,  elder  Ruffell  and 
his  fon  ;  yea  to  all  the  church,  with  thanks  for 
their  love  to  me  and  my  wife.*'  Mr.Hamlit  wrote 
on  June  19,  1673,  that  the  baptifts  were  ftill  per- 
fecuted  for  their  withdrawing  from  the  public 
meetings,  and  faid,  **  Brother  Trumbel*and  bro- 
ther Ofbornc  were  fined  laft  court  at  Charlcilown 
twenty  IhilUngs  a  piece  j  they  have  appealed  to 

the 


414      HISTORY  or  the  BAPTISTS 

the  court  of  afilftants."     But  Mr.  Bellingham  dy.. 
ing,  and  Mr.  Leveret  being-  choien  governor,  and 
Mr.  Symonds  deputy  governor  ;  things  took  ano- 
ther turn,  fo  that  Mr.  Hamlit  wrote  to  his  brother 
Hubbard  on  Jan.  9,    1674,  and   faid,    ''Brother 
Drinker  hath  been  very  fick  near  unto  death,  but 
the  Lord  hath  rellorcd  him  to  health  asfain.     The 
church  of  the   baptized  do  peacably   enjoy  their 
iibeity.     Brother  Ruilell,  the  elder  and  the  youn- 
ger,   have   good   renienibraiicc  of  you."      And 
\vhile  thofe  governors  lived,  that  church  enjoyed 
the  greateft  hberty  that  ever  they  did  under  their 
jSrR  charter.     After  governor  Leveret's  dcaih,  I 
find  Mr.   Ruifell  and  his   church,   in   an  dppoiiit- 
ment  of  a  day  of  thankfgiving,   expreiTing'  their 
fenfe  of  "  the  Lord's  goodncls  in   prcftiMng  our 
peace  and  iiOLfty  beyond  all   expectation  ,   God 
having   removed  him,  who  was  ai.  friend  to  us  in 
the  authority,  iy  reafon   of  which  our  oppolites 
have  the  greater  advantage  agaiiilt  us,  who  have 
not  been  wanting  to  co  their  endeavour  to  fup- 
prefs  us."     We   ihall  foon  find  how  that    advan- 
tage was  improved.     We  are   informed  by  their 
j'cconis,  that  the  next  members  that  were  added, 
after  the  firll    conltitution   of  the  church,  were 
ifaac  Hull,  John  Farnum,    Jacob  Barney,  John 
Rulfell,   junior,  John  Johnfon,    George  Farlow, 
Benjamin  S'^'Veetfer,  all  before  Ellis  Cailcnder,  who 
was  received,  Nov.  9,  166^.  Mr.  Hull  was  called 
alfi>  to   be  an  elder  in   the  church  in  the  time  of 
their  fufierinjj,^.     The  next  on  the  lift  are  Jofijua 
Turner,  Thomas  Foifer,  J'-^hn  RuiTell,  ft:;nior,  (:if- 
terwardsj^  their  p^ftor)     William    Hamlit,  James 
landon,  Thomas   Skinner,  John  Williams,  Philip 
Squii%,    ^lary     Gould,    Sulanna  J.ickfon,   Mary 
GrvCalc^f,  &c.    iudcr  Gould  died  OcL.  27,  167  «*, 

having 


[i5;5]     IN  NEW-ENGLAND.     41; 

Ii2ving  been  a  man,  "  in  lome  good  meafiirc  fitted 
and  qa.i  {bed  (^ikys  elder  RuiTeli)  for  luch  a  work; 
and  proved  an  eminent  inftrument  in  the  Land  of 
the  Lord,  for  the  carrying  on  tJiis  good  work  of 
God  in  it3  low  and  weak  beginnings  **  And  in- 
clading  the  other  £rit  conftitutors  with  him,  fays, 
"  Their  trouble  and  temptations  followed,  one 
upon  the  neck  of  anotber,  like  the  waves  of  the 
fea  ;  bat:  Lhcfe  precious  fcrvants  of  the  Lord,  hav- 
ing it  fome  good  meafure  counted  the coft  before- 
hand, were  not  moved  for  any  of  thefe  things,  but 
were  cheerfully  carried  on  by  the  hand  of  the 
Lord  upon  them,  through  all  the  affiicflions  and 
reproaches  they  met  with  ;  and  are  the  moft  of 
them  now  at  reft  with  the  Lord,  having  ferved 
the  will  of  God  in  their  generation."  * 


CHAP.         VIL 

An  account  of  Philip*s  war,  of  the  bap- 
tiiVs  farther  fafFerLigs,  ^nd  other  events 
down  to  I  690. 

THE  forgolnsg  hiflory  may  give  the  reader 
fome  idea,  of  the  njture  and  caufeg  of  the 
contentions  that  long  laboured  in  the  country, 
between  the  n^^ivf  i^  and  the  lingliili.  Mr.Samuel 
Hubbard  in  the  dole  ot  that  wai*,  wrote  to  a  mi- 
niRer  in  England  md  f^id,  "  God  has  been  long 
waitin-T  svich  pati-iTice,  by  fe  era!  figns  and  warn- 
^ng^;  thefe  forty  years  as  I  can  s\itncii»  ;  but  wcia 
our  turnings  have  not  fo  turned  to  the  Lord  as 
ougnt  to  be,  and  his  dlfpleafure  is  broke  forth  in 
the  country  by  the  r.adves,  who  were  forced  there- 

*  Hubbard  — — Ruffcli's  narrativ*  ]68o,  p.  i,*.  ^= 


'4i6      HISTORY  OF  TM£  BAPTISTS 

to,  as  fome  of  them  faid  (and  in  very  deed  I  judge 
truly/')  I  find  by  their  recDrds,  that  the  commif- 
iioners  of  the  united  colonies,  in  September  166^, 
appointed  Capt.  George  Denifon,  Thomas  Stanton 
and  James  Averell,  to  manage  their  affairs  at  Pau- 
catuck,  to  govern  the  Indians,  and  collect  the  tax 
impofed  upon  them  on  account  of  the  Pequots  ; 
and  then  fay,  "  They  are  alio  hereby  authorifed 
to  acl  and  do,  or  caule  to  be  done,  w  hat  in  their 
difcretion  may  beft  conduce,  to  reduce  them  to 
civility  and  the  knowledge  of  God,  as  well  by 
caufing  due  punifhment  to  be  inflicted  on  difor- 
derly  perfons  according  to  their  demirits,  as  by 
encouraging  fuch  as  fliall  be  fent  to  inftruft  them 
by  order  of  the  commillioners,  and  by  caufing 
them  to  attend  thereunto.**  And  nothing  has 
been  more  common  with  their  party  ever  fince, 
than  to  reprefent  the  Rhode-Iflanders  as  an  irre- 
ligious people  :  but  I  truft  the  forgoing  facts  fhe-vr 
that  they  were  not  all  fo,  to  which  I  fhal]  add, 
that  Mr.  S.  Hubbard's  daughter  Ruth  was  con- 
verted and  joined  to  Mr.  Clarke's  church  in  1652, 
when  {he  was  not  13  years  old,  and  on  Auguft  4, 
166^,  fhe  wrote  from  Weflerly  thus, 

"  Most  loving  and  dear  father  and  mother,  my 
duty  with  my  hufband  and  children  prefented 
unto  you,  with  all  my  dear  friends. — My  longing 
defire  is  to  hear  from  you,  how  your  hearts  arc 
borne  up  above  thefe  troubles  which  are  come  up- 
on us,  and  are  coming  as  we  fear  ;  for  we  have 
the  rumours  of  war,  and  that  almoft  every  day. 
Even  now  we  have  heard  from  your  Ifland  by 
fomc  Indians  who  declared  unto  us,  that  the 
French  have  done  fome  mifchief  upon  the  coafl, 
and  we  have  heard  that  i2co  Frenchmen  have 
joined  with  the  Mohawks,  to  clear  the  land  both 

of 


[1675]       IN   NEW-ENGLAND.       417 

of  Englifh  and  Indians.  But  I  truft  in  the  Lordy 
if'fuchathingbcintendedjthkthewillnot  fufferfuch 
il  thing  to  be.  MydefireandprayertoGodis^thatUe 
■^vill  be  plcalcd  to  fulfil  his  promife  to us,that  is,  that  as 
in  the  world  we  ihall  havctroubles,foinhim  wc  £hall 
have  peace.  The  Lord  of  comfort,  comfort  your 
and  our  hearts,  and  give  us  peace  in  believing, 
and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghofl.  Oh  that  the  Lord 
would  be  pleafed  to  fill  our  hearts  with  his  good 
fpirit,  that  we  may  be  carried  above  all  thefe 
things  !  and  that  wc  may  remember  his  faying. 
When  ye  fee  thefe  things  come  topafsjift  up  your  heads^ 
knowing  that  your  redemption  draws  nigh.  Then  if 
thefe  things  be  the  certain  iign  of  our  Lord's  re- 
turn, let  us  mind  his  command,  that  is,  pray  al- 
ways that  ye  may  be  counted  ivorthy  to  efcape  all  thsfi- 
things^  and  to  Jiand  before  the  fon  of  ftmn.  Let  us 
have  boldnefs  to  come  unto  him  in  the  new  and 
living  way,  which  he  hath  prepared  for  us. 
Through  grace  1  find  the  Lord  doth  bear  up  the 
fpirits  of  his  in  this  place,  in  fome  comfortable 
meafure,  to  be  looking  above  thefe  things,  the 
Lord  incr^afc  it  more  and  more  unto  the  day  of 
his  appearing,  which  I  hope  is  at  hand.  Dear  fa- 
ther and  mother,  the  Lord  hath  been  pleafed  to 
give  us  here  many  fweet  and  comfortable  days  of 
refrefliing,  which  is  great  caufe  of  thankfulnefs, 
and  my  deiire  is,  that  wc  may  highly  prifc  it, 
and  you  with  us  give  the  Lord  the  praife  for  this 
benefit.  I  pray  rcmembei-my  love  to  aH  my  dear 
fnends'  with  you  in  fcllowiliip.  Sifter  Sanders 
defires  to  be  remembered  to  you  all  :  fo  doth, 
fiftcr  Clarke.  Your  loving  daughter  to  my 
poorer,  Ruth  JBurdick." 

Philip  was  fon  to  Ofamaquin  and  fucceedcd 
Una  as  the  chief  fachcm  on  the  eaft  fide  of  Narra- 
G  g  g  ganfct 


'4i8      HISTORY  or  ths  BAPTISTS 

ganfet  Bay.  He  had  this  name  given  him  by 
Plymouth  court  in  1660.  Such  rumours  fprcad 
of  his  preparing  for  war,  as  brought  governor 
prince,  and  two  of  his  alllftants  toTaunton,  April 
13,  1671,  to  meet  three  gentlemen  from  the  Maf^ 
■fechufetts,  to  examine  into  the  matter.  PhiHp 
^cpt  at  a  diftance,  and  feat  to  them  to  come  to 
}iim  at  three  mile  river.  *  The  governor  fent 
again  for  him  to  come  to  them,  but  he  refuied, 
till  old  Mr.  Roger  Williams  and  Mr.  Brown,  [1 
fuppofc  of  Swanzcy]  offered  to  remain  there  as 
iioilages  -,  by  which  means  he  was  brought  for- 
ward and  prevailed  with  to  deliver  up  about  70 
guns  he  had  got.  and  to  ptromife  future  lideUty, 
which  fm'pended  the  war' four  years,  f  And  then 
It  was  brought  on  in  the  following  manner.  John 
Safaman,  an  Indian  that  the  Englifh  had  given 
.conllderable  inftruclion  to,  both  as  to  human 
learning  and  religious  aflairs,  being  with  Phihp  at 
JTamafket,  difcovered  that  he  was  preparing  for 
%vxr,  and  informed  the  Englifh  of  it ;  for  which 
•he  v/as  murdered  upon  a  pond  at  Afiiiwamfct, 
•both  of  which  places  are  in  Middleborough. 
Three  Indians  were  apprehended  for  that  murder, 
and  were  executed  at  Plymouth. 

Mr..  John  Tracy  of  Norwich  had  married'  Mrs. 
Mary  Winfiow  from  Marflifield  five  years  before, 
and  returning  front  a  villt  there  at  this  time,  hap- 
pened to  fall  in  among  a  party  of  Indians  in  arms,, 
waiting  to  hear  whether  theirfriendi  would  be  ex- 
ecuted or  not.  They  brought  him  to  Philip,  whom 
he  fatisficd  that  he  was  only  a  traveller  and  upoa 

no 

*  Which  runs  from  Norton  through  the  weft  p9rt  of  Taunton, 
and  falls  iifto  the  great  riifcr  betwixt  thit  ton'ft  and  Dightoa. 

4-  Mi/r.  hift.  v«l,  I,  p.  278,  279, 


liSysl       IN  NEW-EN GLAND.      4^9 

no  ill  defign,  fo  that  he  fent  him  away  in  peace.  • 
But  hearing  foon  after  that  thole  Indians  were  exe« 
cuted,  they  broke  out  on  June  24,  1675,  and 
killed  nine  men  in  different  parts  of  Swanzey,  and 
fired  upon  one  in  Rchoboth ;  which  alarmed  the 
councry,  and  in  four  days  an  army  was  collected 
there,  and  made  Mr.  Miles's  houfe  their  head 
quarters.  Philip  foon  left  his  ftation  at  Mo^nt 
Hope,  now  Briftol,  and  jetired  to  a  great  fwamp 
call  of  the  great  river.  The  Maflachufetts  part 
of  the  army  went  into  the  Narraganfet  country, 
;ind  brought  thofc  Indians  to  promife  not  to  join, 
in  the  war,  and  then  returned;  and  with  the  other 
forces,  attacked  Philip  at  the  fwamp  on  July  1 8, 
but  had  little  fucccfs  therein.  Soon  after  v/hich, 
Philip  and  many  of  his  men  repafTcd  the  river, 
and  crofling  Seaconk  plain,  made  his  way  up  to, 
the  Ncpmuck  Indians  in  Worccllcr  county,  who, 
had  begun  the  war  on  July  1 4. 

These  alarms  caufcd  Mr.  Jofeph  Tory  and  Mr. 
Hubbard  to  fend  a  boat  which  brought  their 
friends  from  Weflerly  to  N:^\vport  this  month, 
who  continued  on  the  illand  till  the  war  was  over. 
Soon  after  Philip  had  joined  the  Nepmucks,  thcf 
violently  aiTaultcd  a  fmall  Englifli  plantation  at 
Brookficld,  and  as  Capt.  Hutchinfon  \nth  a  com* 
pany  went  to  relieve  them  on  Auguft  2,  they 
from  an  ambufh  gave  him  a  mortal  wound.  But 
Major  Willard  came  two  days  after  with  48  men, 
and  flew  many  of  the  enemy,  and  delivered  his 
friends.  Upon  which  the  enemy  fleered  further 
weftward,  and  on  Sept.  i,  burnt  moft  of  th.i; 
houfes  in  Deerfield,  and  killed  8  men  the  next 
day  at  Northfield  ;  and  Capt.  Beers  going  witU 

thirty -fix 

•  Cilknder'i  century  fcrmoB;  p-  73.    Mr,  Tiii«y  wa»  my,- 
■aothtr's  grand  iihtjr. 


'420    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y  OF  THE  B  A  P  T  I T  S 

^6  men  to  fetch  off  the  inhabitants  there,  had  a 
terrible  fight  with  the  enemy,  wherein  he  and 
above  half  of  his  men  fell.  September  i8,  fundry 
teams  went  to  bring  off  a  large  quantity  of  grain 
from  Decrfield,  and  Capt.  Lothrop  went  with 
about  80  men  to  guard  thcra  ;  but  not  feeing  any 
of  the  enemy,  they  on  their  return,  got  to  picking 
grapes  by  Muddy-brook,  when  the  enemy  got  a 
dreadful  advantage  of  them.  1  have  feen  the 
ftone  over  the  place  where  they  tell  me  about  70 
of  them  were  buried  in  one  grave.  Prefently 
after  an  allault  was  made  upon  Springfield,  where 
the  mdniiter's  houfe  and  library  was  burnt,  with 
31  houfes  befide.  But  a  large  body  of  Indians 
making  an  onfct  upon  Hadly,  Ocl.  19,  and  hav- 
ing killed  one  man,  were  fo  bravely  repulfed  by 
the  Englifii,  that  in  their  flight  fomc  of  them  were 
drowned  in  Connecticut  river,  and  others  who 
cfcaped  retired  into  Narraganfct.  In  that  country 
on  a  fmall  tra(fl  of  upland  within  a  great  fwamp, 
feven  miles  weft  from  the  fouth  ferry  that  goei 
over  from  Newport,  the  Indians  built  and  ftored 
the  ftrongeft  fort  they  ever  had  in  this  country. 
Therefore  the  colonies  gathered  an  army  of  a 
thoufand  men,  under  the  command  of  governor 
"VVinllow,  and  after  a  fierce  conflioL,  took  and 
deftroyed  it  on  Dec  19.  They  fuppofed  that 
a  thoufand  of  the  enemy  were  cut  oif ;  but  it 
coft  on  our  fide  the  lives  of  fix  Captains,  and  170, 
fomefaid  2 1  o  men  killed  or  wounded.  They  march- 
ed 16  or  18  miles  from  Major  Smith's  to  that 
iight,  and  returned  through  a  terrible  fnow-ftorn 
the  fame  night.  * 

Great 

•  I  have  met  with  the  original  of  a  teflimony  concerning  that 
family,  and  that  affair,  which  1  will  give  a  copy  of  here,  and  is 
«S  follow*, 

Karragaafet 


[1575]        If*  NEW-EN GLAND.        4^1 

Great    ftores  of  corn  were  dcftroyed  in  that 
fortjwhich  reduced  the  Indians  to  terrible  didrefs, 
»  But 

Narraganfct,  21  July,  1679,  (utvulgn.J 
*'  RogerWilh  AMS  ot providence  in  theNarrMganfcti^ay,?n 
New-England,  being  (by  God's  mcrcy^  the  tirft  begimjer  of  the 
mother  town  of  Proviience,  and  af  the  Colony  of  Rhode-llland 
and  Providence  pLnutions,  being  no\v  near  to  fouifcore  years 
of  age,  yet  (by  God's  mcrcy^  of  found  undcrftanding  and  inc- 
mo'-y  !  do  humbly  and  faithfully  declare,  that  Mr.  Richard 
Smith,  feni'ir,  who  for  his  confcience  toGod  left  fair  poirelons 
in  Gl  cefterlhirc,  and  Hdvcnturcd,  with  his  relations  and  cftatc 
to  Ncw-E-  gUnJ,  and  was  a  moft  acceptable  inhabitant,  and  a 
pri;ne  leading  nan  inTauaton  in  PlymouthColony  ;  f  t  his  con- 
fcic  iCc  fake,  many  di^crcnccs  ariiing,  he  left  Taunton  and  catpc 
to  the  Narraganfct  country,  where  [byGod's  mercy  and  the  favour 
of  the  Nirriganfet  fachcms)  he  broke  the  ice  at  his  great  charge 
and  h<aaid,  and  put  up  in  the  thickets  of  the  barbarians,  thefirft 
Eiiglifli  houfe  am  )n(5ft  thc-n.  a  1  humbly  teilify  that  about 
40  years  from  thi»  d  tte,  he  kept  poiTellijn,  coming  and  going 
himfelf,  children  and  fervants,  and  he  had  quiet  polleiion  of  his 
houfing,  l^ndi  and  meadow  ;  snd  there  in  his  own  houfe,  wild 
TCuch  fcrcnity  of  foul  and  comfort,  he  yielJ  -phis  fpirit  to  God, 
fthe  father  of  fpiritsj  in  peace.  3.  1  do  humbly  and  faithfully 
teftify  a«  abovefaid,  that  iince  his  departure  his  honored  fon, 
Capt.  Richard  Snith,  hnth  kept  pofieiion  (with  much  ?(y.:ep- 
tancc  with  fi^nglidi  ^nd  PngansJ  of  his  fathers  hourtng:,lind.s  and 
meadows,  with  great  improvement,  alfo  by  hie  g'Cdi  coft  and 
induftry.  And  in  thehte  bloodv  P^g^n  war,  I  knowioply  tefti- 
fy  and  declirc,  th^t  it  pleafcd  the'Moft  High  to  make  ufc  uf  hin:>- 
f^lf  in  ptrfon,  his  houfing,  gooJ*,  corn,prov-i^!on$  and  cattle,  for  a 
garrifofi  and  fupply  for  the  whole  army  of  Ncw-En^laiid,  un- 
der the  command  of  the  ever  to  be  honored  gcrtcral  WipJbw, 
for  the  fcrvice  cf  his  \Lje!ly's  honor  and  country  of  Nevr- 
Kngland.  4  I  do  alfo  humbly  declare,  that  the  faidCapt  Richarji 
S.nith,  jun'r,ought  by  all  the  rules  of  equity,  juftice  and  gratitu^ie 
fto  his  >ionorcd  father  and  himfelfj  to  iic  fairly  treaccJ  with, 
confiiered,  recruited,  honored,  and  by  his  Majcfty's  authority, 
confirmed  and  eftaUifhed  in  «  pevjcefu!  polFe.iion  o^ his  fathers 
and  his  own  poffcinons  in  IhisP.gMi  wildemefs,  andN^rragan- 
fet  country.  Thcpremifes  I  humjly  teftify,  a-;  aow  leaving  this 
country  and  this  world.  Rogkr  WiLi.iAMs." 

It  appears  by  governor  Winthrop's  journal  that  1> mton  was 
firt*  pJj:ited  in  I'Sj.-,  fo  thtt  Mr.  S:»i|h  came  rhrre  fnon  afteri 
We  s-c^  told  that  the  rainfion  houfe  of  the  Updike  ficiily  in 
Narth  Kingfloa  itatJs  where  he  begin  aacong  rh-^yarr.iganfcts. 


422      HISTORY  or  the  BAPTISTS 

But  a  thaw  in  January  enabled  them  to  get  fonje 
fuiteaance  out  of  the  earth,  upon  which  they 
burnt  the  dcferted  Iioufes  in  Mendon,  and  on  lA:b. 
10,  1676,  made  an  on  Vet  upon  Lancafter,  burnt 
their  habitations,  and  killed  or  captivated  40  pcr- 
fons,  one  of  whom  was  Mrs.  Rowlandfon,  wife  to 
the  minifter,  who  was  then  gone  to  Hofton  to  pro- 
cure help  againft  the  enemy.  The  narrative  fhc 
gave  of  her  captivity  has  lately  been  re-printed, 
like  mifchicfs  weredone  at  Groton, Marlborough, 
Sudbury  and  Chelmsford  j  and  on  Feb.  2 1  the 
enemy  wheeled  round  and  came  down  upon  Med- 
ficld,  (twe*ity  miles  from  Bo(lon)  and  burnt  half 
their  houfes,  and  ficw  eighteen  men,  notwith* 
flanding  two  or  three  htmdred  foldiers  that  they 
then  had  in  the  town.  Feb. -{5  they  did  confidcr- 
able  damage  in  Weymouth,  ftill  nearer  to  Bofton  j 
and  tlic  like  at  Groton  and  Sudbury  on  March  10. 
The  r  2th  they  cut  off'  two  families  in  Clark*s  gar- 
rifon  at  Plymouth  ;  and  the  next  day  burnt  aU 
mofl:  ftli  Groton  [in  Middlefex]  to  the  ground. 

HtR"  I  mnft  open  fomcthing  that  has  been 
furprizingly  concealed  from  this  country.  It  his 
been  the  conftant  prai^ice  of  all  parties  who  arc 
fond  of  an  ccclciiaftical  eftabhlhment  by  human 
laws,  to  accufe  the  baptifts  of  difobedicnce  to 
government,  cfpccially  in  the  point  of  a  defenfivc 
war.  This  the  reader  may  fee  inferted  in  a  law 
of  the  Mallachufetts,  but  three  years  before  thii 
war  bcg-an.  Mr.  Callendcr  was  then  a  member 
of  the  baptifl  church  in  Bofton,  and  was  continued 
a  p;rcat  blefiing  to  them  for  more  than  fifty  years. 
The  copy  of  Mr,  RuficU's  narrative  that  1  am  fa- 
voured with  came  out  of  his  family,  and  in  it  is  a 
Bianufcript  note  in  the  margin,  againft  Mr.  Ruf- 
fcU's  account  of  Mr.  Turner,  which  fays,  "  In  the 

beginning 


[1676]    IN  NEW-EN  GLAND.  425 

beginning  of  the  war,  William  Turner  gathered  a 
company  oi   volunteers,  but  was  denied  a  com- 
miflion  and  difcourr.ged,  becaufc  the  chief  of  the 
company  were  anabaptifts.     Afterwards  when  the 
war  i^rew  more  gei.eral  and  diftructive,   and  the 
country  in  very  gi  eat  diftrcfs,  having  divers  tOAns 
burnt,  and  many  men   flain,  then  he  was  defired 
to  accept   a  commilKon.     He  complained  it  was 
too  late,  his  men  on  whom  he  could  confide  being 
fcattered  ;  however  was  moved  to  accept/*  They 
made  him  Captain,  and  his  brother  Drinker  Lieu- 
tenant of  a  company  that  marched  up  with  others 
in  the   beginning  of  this  month,  tObrelicve  the 
weftern  towns,  under  Major  Savage  as  chief  com- 
mander ;  and  by  them  the  Indians  were  repulfed 
and  driven  off  from  Northampton  on  March  14. 
The  17th  they  burnt  all  but  one  of  the  houfes  in 
Warwick,   moft  of  the  inhabitants  being  gone  to 
Rhode-lfland.     On  Lord*s  day,  March  26,  Capt. 
Pierce  being  at  Rchoboth,^with  fifty  Englilh  foU 
diers,  and  twenty  friend  Indians,  heard  of  a  body 
of  the   enemy  up  Patucket  river,  and  wrote  to 
Capt.  Andrew  Edmunds  of  Providence,  to  meet 
him  there  with  his  company  to  attack  them.     He 
fcnt  the  letter  by  a  perfon  who  was  going  over  to 
Providence   meeting,  but  who  did  not  deliver  it 
till  their   vi^orfliip  was  done  at  noon.     As  foon  a» 
Capt.   Edmunds  had  read  the  letter,  he  gave  the 
bearer  a  fharp  reprimand,  for   not  delivering  it 
before,  and  exprefled  his  fear  of  the  confequence 
as  it  proved  ;  for  Capt.  Pierce  engaging  the  ene- 
my alone,  who  were  alfo  more  numerous  than  he 
expected,   he  was  furrounded  and  cut  off;  with 
a.11  but  13  of  his  men,  only  one  of  whom  was  of 
the  Englifh  ;  and  it  is  faid  he  efcaped  by  a  friend 
^dian's  turoiug  aad  runing  after  him  with  a  wea- 
pon. 


424      HISTORT  or  the  BAPTISTS 

pon,  as  if  he  was  an  enemy,  which  others  feeing 
did  not  perfue  him.  They  tell  us  that  another 
of  thofe  friends  efcapcd  in  this  manner  v  being 
perilled  by  an  enemy,  he  took  llielter  behind  a 
rock,  where  as  each  waited  for  an  opportunity  to 
fhoot  the  other,  our  friend  gently  railing  his  hat 
above  the  rock  upon  a  flick,  the  enemy  difcharg- 
ed  his  gun  at  it,  on  which  the  other  fliot  liim 
down  and  efcaped.  It  is  reported,  that  Capt. 
Pierce  and  his  men  flew  140  of  the  enemy  in  the 
conflict.  The  people  both  of  Marlborough  and 
Springfield  fuflcred  conflderably  the  fame  day. 
March  28,'^brty  houfes  were  burnt  in  Rehoboth, 
and  twenty-nine  the  next  day  at  Providence,  the 
people  returning  into  garrifons. 

In  the  clerk's  ofllce  in  that  town  is  a  paper,  in 
which  Mr.  Williams  faid,  *'  I  pray  the  town,  in 
the  fcnfe  of  the  late  bloody  practices  of  the  natives 
to  give  leave  to  fo  many  as  can  agree  with  Wil- 
liam Field,  to  befliow  ipme  charge  upon  fortifying 
his  houfe,  for  fecurity  to  women  and  children  ; 
alio  to  give  me  leave  and  fo  many  as  fliall  agree, 
to  put  up  fome  defence  on  the  hill,  between  the 
mill  and  the  highway,  for  the  like  fafcty  of  the 
women  and  children  ki  that  part  of  the  town." 
To  this  eleven  principal  inhabitants  fubfcribed,  the 
highcfl:  whereof  was  rwo  pounds  fix  fliiliings,  ex- 
cept Mr.  Williams  who  fubfcribed  ten  pounds. 
Tradition  fays,  that  when  the  Indians  appeared 
on  the  high  lands  north  of  their  great  cove,  Mr. 
Williams  took  his  ftaff  and  walked  over  towards 
them,  hoping  likely  to  pacify  them  as  he  had  often 
douc  ;  but  when  fome  of  their  aged  men  faw  him, 
they  came  out  and  met  him,  and  told  him  that 
though  thofe  who  had  long  known  him  would 
mot  hurt  him,  )  ct  their  young  men  were  {6  hu 

raged 


[1676]       iM  NEW-.ENOLAND.       42^ 

raged  that  it  was  not  fafe  for  hi;n  to  venture  among 
them ;  upoa  which  he  returned  to  the  garrilbn. 
The  houi'e  where  then'  records  were  kept  was 
plundered,  and  they  thrown  into  the  mill-pond, 
bat  were  recovered,  though  by  thai:  means  lomc 
jrafTiges  are  not  legible,  and  likely  many  arckies 
"were  loft. 

In  April  Capt.  George  Dcnifon  of  Stonington, 
with  a  number  of  Englifh  andMohegan  Indians^^ 
performed  two  great  exploits.  They  penetrated 
into  the  Narraganfet  country,  and  flew  foriy-four 
of  the  enemy  at  one  time,  and  fixty-flx  at  ano- 
ther, without  the  lofs  of  a  mm  Though  in  the 
mean  time  the  Maflachufetts  met  with  a  dreadful 
blow.  Capt.  Wadfworth  and  Lieut.  Br-ittle.. 
bank,  with  above  thirty  men,  were  cut  ofl'as  they 
were  going  to  reieve  Sudbury,  on  April  i8, 
Bridgcwater,  which  was  planted  in  1652,  wasf 
now  aflaulted  by  a  great  body  of  the  enemy  oa 
May  8,  when  twelve  deferted  hoafes  were  burnt, 
but  there  was  never  one  oF  their  people  killed  irt 
that  war  ;  neither  can  we  learn  that  any  Engiilh 
perfon  who  was  born  in  that  town,  was  ever  flaitk 
by  the  fword  for  eighty  years  after.  Major  Sa- 
vage and  moft  of  his  men  returning,  he  left  Capt, 
Turner  to  command  in  that  quarter.  Hereupon, 
the  enemy,  tliinking  themfelves  more  out  of  dan- 
ger, rcforted  feven  or  eight  hundred  of  them  to 
to  the  great  falls  above  Dcerticld,  on  the  fifhing 
defign.  Two  captive  lads  made  their  efcape,  and 
gave  information  of  their  fecurc  ftite,  whereupon. 
Capt.  Turner  and  young  Capt.  Holioke  of  Spring- 
field, collected  what  force  they  could  on  a  ^id  'en, 
being  not  much  more  than  a  hundre  i  and  ^fty 
m«n*  and  went  up  filently  in  the  night,  tied  th  ir 
kurfcs  at  fodjie  dillance,  and  a  litdc  before  day 
^  hk  break, 


425     HISTORY  .ef  ant  BAPTISTS 

break,  May  i;,  1676,  came  unawares, upon  th^ 
enemy,  "  fired  amain  into  their  very  vvigwams, 
killing  many  upon  the  place,  and  frighting  others 
with  the  fudden  alarm  of  their  guns,  made  tlieni 
run  into  the  riv«r,  where  the  fwiftnefs  of  the 
Hreani  carrying  them  down  a  fleep  fall,  they 
ptrilhed  in  the  water*  ;  fomc  getting  into  canoe% 
lank  or  ovcrfet  by  the  fiiooting  of  cur  men  ; 
others'  creeping  for  fiielter,  under  the  banks  of 
the  great  river,  were  efpicd  by  our  men  and  killed 
with  their  fwords. — Some  of  their  prifoners  after- 
wards owned  that  they  loft  above  three  hundred, 
fome  whereof  were  principal  men,  faclicms  and 
fomc  of  their  bed  fighting  men  that  were  left. — Nor 
did  they  feem  ever  to  have  recovered  themfelvcs 
after  this  defeat,  but  their  ruin  immediately  fol- 
lowed upon  it."  When  our  people  firft  fired  upon 
them  they  cried  out,  Mohaivks  !  but  in  the  morn* 
ing  difcovering  their  miftake,  they  rallied  their* 
fcattcred  men,  and  Capt.  Turner  being  unwell, 
and  fo  "  not  able  for  want  of  bodily  ftrength  (no 
ways  defective  for  want  of  Ikill  or  courage)  to 
aflift  or  direct  in  making  a  retreat  ;  fome  of  the 
enemy  fell, upon  the  guards  that  kept  the  horfes, 
others  perfued  them  in  the  rear,  fo  as  our  men 
fuftalncil  pretty  much  damage  as  they  retired, 
minLag  after  their  return  thh  ty-ei|s;ht  of  their 
men."  One  of  whom  was  Capt.  Turner,  wh» 
was  afterwards  found  and  buried.  *  Dr.  Stephen- 
Williams  fays,  "  There  were  many  remarkable* 
in  this  aOair  (as  related  by  Jonathan  Wells,  Kfq; 
who  was  prcfent)  which  are  taken  notice  of  by 
Mr.  Hubbard,  or  Dr.  Mather."  f  Mr.  H-ubbard'« 
account  was  examined    and   approved  by   three 

gentleman 

*  Huhhard's  hiftory  of  chat  war.  p.  S8,  §4.  - 
■f.J^y^zr\<i.'ix.  ta  kis  fitthcr  and  DicrtitU's  cuptivity.  p.  i^« 


[1676]     IN  N  E  W-E  N  G  L  A  N  D.     4*? 

gentlemen  of  the  council,  and  fo  was  publifhcd  by 
authority.  All  the  reft  of"  the  baptifts  who  were 
in  that  aclion,  but  their  Captain  were  prcicrved 
and  returned. '  And  as  they  again  meet  v^ith  cru- 
el treatment  four  years  after,  both  from  tulers  and 
>  miniilcrs,  and  the  old  charge  of  denying  magif- 
^l^tracy  was  revived,  they  faid  in  anfwer  thereto, 
lit.  "Iris  direcljy  againlf  our  pi  inciplcs, and  con- 
trary to'  what  we  ailcrted  in  a  confeilion  of  our 
faith,  that  we  gave  into  the  court,  as  alfo  to  that 
confeilion  of  our  faith  lately  fet  forth  by  our  bre- 
thren in  Old-England,  which  contcffion  we  own 
in  every  particular,*  2.  Our  continual  prayer  to 
God  for  them,  according  to  i  Tim.  ii.  t,  2,  will 
witnefs  againft  this  charge.  3.  Our  conftantfub- 
jeclion  and  obedience  to  their  laws,  both  aclivcly, 
as  fojr  as  wc  can  with  a  good  confciencc,  and 
where  wc  could  not  actively,  there  have  we  been 
pailively  obedient ;  in  fuffering  what  they  inHicled 
•n  us,  v/ithout  fe eking  any  revenge  in  the  Icaft, 
4.  In  paying  all  due  demands  whatfoever ;  not 
being  deflrous  to  withhold  from  Csefar  at  any 
time,  any  of  his  dues.  'In  a  v.'^ord,  both  our  per-* 
fons  and  eftatcs  arc  always  ready  at  command  to 
be  fcrviceable  in  the  defence  of  the  country  ;  yea 
and  have  been  voluntarily  offered  on  the  high, 
places  of  the  field,  in  the  time  of  the  country's 
greateft  extremity. — Among  whom  was  William, 
furner,  whom  they  pleafed  to  make  Captain  o£. 
that  company,  who  had  been  one  of  the  greateft 
fufferers  among  us,  for  the  profefTion  of  religion. 
He  was  a  very  worthy  man  for  foldicry  ;  and  Ed- 
ward Drinker,  w!io  had  been  anotiier  fullerer, 
whom  they  pleafed  to  make  Lieutenant  j  and  by 
^-  the 

*  The  toafeflrion  publKhed  ia  London,  is  1677,  aa^J  rctif^d 


}t«S     HISTORY  05  TtfB  BAPTISTS 

the  prefcnce  of  the  Lord  with  them,  they  vrtffjt 
made  inihuments  of  the  prefei^vation  of  one  town 
from  the  rage  of  the  heathen,  who  violently  broke 
into  it>  but  they  being  there  beat  them  out.  And 
after  that  by  Capt-  Turner,  who  was  then  com- 
mander in  chief,  as  an  inftrument  in  the  hand 
oF  the  Lord,  ^vas  the  greateft  blow  Uruck  to  the 
Indians  of  any  chey  had  received  ;  for  after  this 
they  were  broken  and  Jcattercd,  fo  that  they  were 
overcome  and  luddued  with  eafe.  Here  it  is  to 
be  obfc.i  Vv  d  that  thofc  who  had  fnfi'ered  fo  muffh 
from  the  country,  and  fcandalized  as  eneirues  to 
the  coiintry,  and  their  privileges,  fieely  offering 
^hein'avcs  i:'.  their  f  i  vice  have  been  (through  t]ie 
Lord's  prefence  with  them)-fome  of  the  principal 
jrftrumcnts  tofubaue  the  barbarous  heathen,  and 
to  de'ivei  the  country  from  its  greateft  diftrefs  ; 
"which  may  Hand  as  a  witnefs  of  our  fidelity  to  the 
government  to  the  world's  end.  We  have  been 
vilified  and  greatly  reproached,  and  are  at  this 
day,  it  being  without  anyjuft  rcafon  laid  to  us, 
that  we  are  one  chief  caufc  of  all  the  judgments  of 
God  on  the  land.  We  do  not  excufe  ourfelves,  as 
not  having  a  fliare  or  part  in  many  of  the  fins 
that  have  provoked  the  Lord  againft  poor  New- 
England  ;  neither  have  wc  been  freed  from  having 
part  with  others  in  thcgeneial  calamities  tliat  God 
iiAth  brought  on  this  poor  place.  Yet  it  is  ob- 
fcrvable  how  gracioufly  the  Lord  hath  dealt  with 
lis  ;  that  in  the  time  of  great  mortallity  by  the 
fmall-pox,  when  fo  many  himdreds  died,  though 
many  of  us  were  vifited  with  that  vifitation,  yet 
not  one  of  our  fociety  was  removed  by  it ;  but  it 
was  not  for  any  thing  in  us,  that  the  Lord  fpared 
us,  but  for  his  names  iake,  that  #he  mouth  of  our 

adverfaries 


[1676]       IM   NEW-ENGLAND.      4«^ 

adverfaries  might  be  filcnt,"  *     But  in  anfwer  t^ 
this  Mr.  Willard  iaid, 

"  I'he  German  anabaptlfls  were  enemies  to 
civil  government,  we  hop*  thefe  (though  they 
have  fliown  tco  much  contempt  of  authority)  arc 
not  fo  far  goae.  But  for  his  fo  gloriouily  em- 
blazoning their  fervice  in  the  late  wars,  it  is  nei- 
ther to  the  puj  pofe,  nor  of  much  moment.  Thafe 
they  did  join  againft  the  coihmon  enemy  is  true. 
Swanzey  (a  place  chiefly  confidirg  of  anabaptifis, 
and  where  they  had  a  chui  ch)  was  the  place  where 
the  enemy  made  the  firft  onfet.— BeHdes,  any 
man  would  fight,  rather  than  have  his  throat  cut; 
it  was  not  for  religion,  nor  civil  government,  but 
for  lives  and  eilates.r—Mor  did  the  Indians  re- 
ceive the  greateft  blow  at  that  time  ;  nor  is  it  the 
anabaptills  tiue,  but  vain  glory,  to  fet  fuch  an 
encomium  upon  their  own  deeds. — ^Wc  have  dif- 
miffed  the  charge,  now  comes  a  flrong  argument 
of  their  orthodoxy,  a  witncfs  from  Heaven,  viz. 
their  happy  prefervation  in  the  time  of  the  fmall- 
pox.  Let  it  be  remembered,  that  one  of  their 
pcrfwation  died  of  it  at  Woborn,  (where  John 
Kuffell  lived,  and  fhould  have  obfcrved  it)  and 
many  of  their  children.  But  be  it  fo  ;  their  fo- 
ciety  is  fmall,  and  fcattcrcd  from  Dan  to  Beerlhcba. 
And  who  knows,  but  God  might  fpare  them  in 
judgment,  to  harden  them  ?  Thefe  are  too  high 
things  for  us  ;  only  when  God  comes  to  chaften 
his  people,  thofe  that  arc  not  chaftened,  may  aflc 
whether  they  arc  not.  baftards  ?'*  He  had  before 
faid,  "  As  the  honored  magiftratcs  here  arc 
chriftians,  fo  have  they  judged  ifr  their  duty  to 
maintain  the  ways  of  Chrift,  and  ftrcngthen  them 
by  civil  laivs,  which  hath  not  only  been  tkc  prac- 
tice 
f  JRufTtU'i  narrative,  p.  1 1>  12: 


>ii3^      HISTORY  or  thk  BAPT  1ST  S 

tice  of  reformers  of  old,  but  the  conflant  judge* 
ment  of  the  church  of  Chriil:  ever  iince  the 
apoilles. — On  this  principal  our  worthy  rulcri 
have  made  laws  againil  many  iccts  and  intruders, 
and  annong  the  iclt  the  anabaptilis.  'I'hat  in 
qiifeiling-  tlie  anabaptifts  they  do  not  opf  ok  the 
truth,  but  fupprcfs  error,  they  arc  fully  perivvaded; 
and  although  they  never  pretended  to  a  lordfhip 
over  men's  confcicnces,  yet  they  account  the  out- 
ward man  is  fubjccl  to  them  :  and  if  they  muft 
tarry  till  all  men  arc  agreed  about  -^^hat  is  truth, 
before  we  oppofe  crroj-,  we  fliall  flay  till  there  is 
no  need  of  it.^'  * 

According  to  this,  we  are  not  to  imagine  that 
thofc    miniflers     ever   intended  to  lord   it  over 

^  Thomas  Gould's  confcicnce,  when  they  cenfured 
him  for  not  Handing  up,  and  looldng  on  when  they 
fprinkled  infants  in  the  facred  name,  lie  might 
have  thought  what  he  pleafed  of  it  inwardly,  if  ke 

'  Avould  but  have  honored  tke?n  before  the  people  ;  \ 
and  though  for  refufmg  fo  to  do,  they  excluded 
him  from  the  ordinance  of  the  fupper  for  fevcu 
years,  and  then  for  taking  another  method  to  cn^ 
joy  it,  they  moved  the  rulers  todii^franchize,  fine, 
imprifon  and.  banifh  him,  yet  all  this  was  for  error 
in  liis  ouHvard  man,  not  in  his  cenjcience  !  neither 
mufl  it  be  fuppo:^ed,  that^'^m  glory  had  any  influ*. 
cncc  in  the  emblazoning  of  things  on.their  fide  ; 
for  all  thefe  things  T«rere  done  by  orthodox  mini- 
fters,  and  chriftian  rulers.  But  let  the  anabap- 
tilis offer  themfelves  ever  fo  willingly,  and  at  a 
time  when  the  main  of  the  enemy   were  remote 

from  their  churches,  both  ofBofton  and  Swanzey; 

and  let  them  do  ever  fo  great  public  fervice,   yet 

it  muft  not  be   thought   that  they  were   move^ 
■•,  thereto, 

-•  Kc  fuior,   f.  23,24. 


[1676]      IN    NEW. ENGLAND.      43.1 

thereto,  cither  by  religion  or  loyalty.  No,  all 
proceeded  either  from  love  to  the  world,  or  cHc 
tear  of  having  their  throats  cut  by  the  Ii.diAns  in 
Bofton,  if  they  had  not  gone  a  hundred  ndles  icty 
the  country  to  meet  them  1  Which  is  Ipoken,  not 
in  contempt  to  any.  man's  perfon,  but  to  cxpofc 
and  detect  t\\\t  fjf -flitter y  which  fo  often  deceives 
mankind.  The  above  is  all  the  mention  I  ever 
faw,  in  any  publicadon  from  that  party, that  flvcws 
the  chief  commander  in  the  fall-fight  to  have 
Lien  A  bap'i'l.  Moft  of  their  hiflorics  of  that 
war  mention  his  name,  but  not  a  word  of  his  bc- 
.  in^-the  man  who  had  before  fuffered  in  the  bap- 
tiils  caufe.  And  left  it  fhould  detect  the  llanders 
they  ftili  were  calling  upon  our  denorwination, 
they  having  gained  his  fon  to  their  party,  intireiy 
concealed  this  fad  from  his  numerous  pofterity, 
Tor  though  his  grandfon,  Capt.  William  Turner 
of  Swanzey  embraced  our  principals,which  he  con-*, 
tinned  in  after  he  removed  to  Newport,  where  he 
died  in  1759,  bequeathing,  among  other  legacies 
in  his  will,  his  lands  in  Fall-town,  adjoining  to  the 
place  where  his  grandfather  was  flain  ;  yet  ia 
June  1774,  I  was  convcrfing  with  one  of  his 
daughters,  together  with  her  fon,  William  Tur- 
ner Millar,  Efq;  both  members  of  the  baptift 
church  in  Warren,  and  they  told  me,  they  had 
often  heard  of  their  anccftors  exploits  and  death 
in  Philip's  war,  but  never  a  word  bcrore  of  his 
being  a  baptift,  or  of  his  fafferings  in  that  caufe. 
Neither  have  any  of  their  hiftorians  ever  ventured 
to  publifh  a  particular  account  of  the  baptift  faf- 
fed ngS;  as  they  have  of  the  Quikers.  For  which 
1  can  ^ive  no  better  reafon  than,  bccaufc  they 
could  hnd  incroachment"?  upon  their  rights  in  the 
latter  to  found  a  pki'uj^on,  ii'hiq^i  they  could  noc 


43^     HISTORY  or  thr  BAPTISTS 

in  the  former.  And  the  author  of  the  Magnalla 
plainly  cxpreft  his  unwilUngnefs,  that  the  records 
thereof  Ihould  be  kept  any  where. 

Captain  Benjamin  Church  of  Duxbury  near 
Plymouth,   who  had   made  fooae  beginning   at 

tiokonet,   now   Little-Compton,  eafl   of    Rhode* 
fland,  the  year  before  the  war,  carried  his  family 
on  that  Ifland  after  it  began,  as  a  place  in  his  opi- 
nion of  greater  fafety  than  Duxbury  or  Plymouth; 
and  he  was  an  active  and  fuccefsful  commander 
through  the  war.     As  he  knew  that  Philip  had 
forced  the  Sokonct  Indians  into  the  war,  contra- 
ry to  the  minds  of  the  leading  part  of  them,  he 
againft  his  friends  advice,  went  over  in  a  canoe, 
and  adventcred  himfclf  among  them  in  June  this 
year,  and  gained  them  over  to  our  fide,  by  whofc 
help  he  took  great  numbers  of  the  enemy  from 
day  to  day,  who  had  now  loft  all   their  courage. 
At  length  returning  to  vifit  his  wife,whofe  anxious 
mind  fainted  to  fee  him  again  well  ;  he  was  im- 
mediately informed  by  Major  Sanford  and  Capt. 
Golding,  that  one  of  Philip's  men  had  fled  from 
him  (then  at  the  foot  of  Mount- Hope)  and  was 
come  over  to  the  Ifland.     Hereupon  they  all  put 
fpurs  to  their  horfes,  and  having  heard  the  Indian's 
account,  crofled  the  ferry  in  the  night  with  a  few 
men,    and  after  Capt.  Church  had  ftationed  hi» 
ambufli,    of  the   Rhodc-lfland  gentlemen,    beat 
up  Philip's  head- quarters,  upon  which  he  fet  out 
to  flee  through  a  little  fwamp,  but  after  an  Eng- 
lifli  man  had  fnapt  his  gun   at  him  without  effect, 
Alderman,  an  Indian,  tired  a  bullet  through  his 
heart  on  Auguft  12,  1676,  a  little  before  the  break 
of  day  ;  after  which  the  war  was  foon  brought 
to  a  clofc. 
This  fummary  of  that  bloody  war  I  have  care* 

fully 


[1676]       IM    NEW-ENGLAND.      433 

fully  collected  from  a  great  variety  of  hiftories 
and  accounts.  And  upon  the  whole,  it  was  faid^ 
that  in  this  war  were  liai.n,  twelve  Captains  and 
?.l>jut  lix  hundred  men.  That  about  one  thoii- 
fand,  two  hundred  houfes  were  burnt,  eight  thou* 
fand  head  of  cattle,  and  many  thoufand  bufliels  if 
grain  deftro^^d  ;  and  alfo  three  thoufand  Indians. 
The  lofs  to  the  Eiigliih  colonies,  was  computed 
at  ^150,000  fterhnv,  and  Capt.  Tom,  with  ano- 
ther chief  of  the  chrillian  Indians  at  Natick,  were 
taken  and  hanged  at  Boflon,  for  being  active  in- 
ftrumen'ts  of  thofc  mifchiefs.  *  Though  many 
others  were  faithful.  Of  thofe  twelve  Captains, 
Gallop,  Seily  and  JMarfhali,  (who  v>'ere  llain  at  the 
Narraganfct  tort)  were  of  Connecticut ;  Hutch- 
infon,  Beers,  Lothrop,  Devenport,  Gardner, 
Johnfon,  Wadfworth  and  Turner,  v/ere  of  the 
Maffachufetts,  and  Peirce  was  of  Scituate  in  Ply- 
mouth^colony  ;  from  whence  one  baptill  elder  ot 
that  name,  and 'many  members  of  the  baptift 
churches  or  Swanzey,  Rchoboth  and  either  places 
have  fprung. 

Om  November  29,  this  year  Mr.  Samuel  Hub- 
bard wrote  to  Mr.  Edward  Stennett,  in  England,  f 
and  after  what  is  "recited  in  the  beo^innino:  of  this 
Chapter,  he  further  faid  of  the  Indians,  "  They 
hare  done  much  harm  in  our  bordering  towns, 
as  Warv/ick,  dellroyed  by  fires  ;  only  mofc  of  the 
people  are  here  and  their  goods,  and  fome  of  their 
cattle  ;  and  the  like  at  Fawtuxct  and  Provi- 
dence, though  not  altogether  dellroyed,  for  a 
garrifon  remaincth  there  to  this  day.  And  for 
the  other  iidc  over  afcaiall  us  on  the  main,  whicli 

I  i  i  once  * 

•  MaflT.  hiftory,  vcl.  3,  p.  493, 

f  Whofe  fon  and  grnr.dfon,  named  Jofcph,  and  grcat^rand 
fon  namzd  Samuel,  h^v  .-1  fsn  noted  baptift  muiiftcrs  la  Lciido*, 
■«  Svvo  litiisi,  doctor's  o(  diviniiy. 


434     HISTOKY  oi  the  BAPTISTS 

once  was  ours,  and  is  I  judge  by  charter,  many 
are  killed  by  the  Indians,  the  reft  came  to  us 
with  what  they  could  bring.  Connecticut  army, 
Plymouth  and  Bay  armies  being  there,  wafted 
very  much  ;  when  they  left  it,  the  Indians  burnt 
qparall  that  was  left.  In  Plymouth  the  wars  be- 
gan, and  are  fore  wafted  ;  the  l^y  loft  very 
many  men.  Connecticut  did  moft  fervice,  and  I 
have  not  heard  of  one  town  deftroyed  or  fired  in 
that  col-ony.  In  the  beginning  of  thefe  troubles 
of  the  wars.  Lieutenant  Jofeph  Tory,  elder  of  Mr. 
Clarke's  church,  having  but  one  daughter  living 
at  Squamicot  [Weftcrly]  and  his  wife  being  there, 
he  faid  unto  me,  come  let  us  fend  a  boat  to  Squa- 
micot, my  all  is  there  and  part  of  yours.  We  lent 
a  boatfo  as  his  wife,  his  daughter,  and  fon-in-law, 
and  all  their  children,  and  my  two  daughters  and 
their  children  (one  had  eight,  the  other  three, with 
an  apprentice  boy)  all  came,  and  brother  John 
Crandal  and  his  family ,with  as  many  others  as  could 
pofHbly  come.  My  fon  Clarke  came  afterwards 
before  winter,  and  my  other  daughter's  hulbahd 
came  in  the  fpring,  and  they  all  have  been  at  my 
houfc  to  this  day.  Now  dear  brother,  although 
we  arc  not  deftroyed  by  the  Indians,  God  hath 
vifited  this  land  by  taking  away  many  by  death  ; 
and  in  this  place,  of  all  1-brts.  Of  the  old  church, 
firft  Mr.  Jofeph  Tory,  then  my  dear  brother  John 
Crandal,  then  Mr.  John  Clarke,  then  V\^iliiam 
Weeden,  a  deacon,  then  John  Salmon  :  a  fad 
ftroke  in  very  deed ;  young  men  and  maids  to 
this  day,  I  never  knew  or  heard  the  like  in  New- 
Eng'and.  Laft  week  four  or  five  were  buritd  in 
this  town — Brother  Turner  went  to  war,  and 
God  profpered  him  for  a  time,  but  he  is  now  kill- 
ed by  the  Indians  j  the  reft  arc  well  and  enjoy 

their 


[i«7^]     IN  N  E  W-E  N  G  L  A  N  D.     455 

their  liberty.  Mr.  Milci  that  was  at  Swanzey,  is 
now  with  them.  Brother  Wiiliam  Gibfon,  who 
came  from  Old-England  with  brother  Mumford, 
is  now  gone  to  New- London  to  viiit  our  brethren 
there."  Mr.  Mumford  had  been  over  to  London, 
»nd  he  with  Mr.  Gibfon  returned  to  Bofton,  in 
October  1675  ;  who  afterward  fucceedcd  elder 
Hilcox  in  the  paftoral  office  at  Newport. 

The  above  account  of  the  pr«fervation  of  Con- 
necticut, as  well  as  the  other  articles  expreffed  arc 
juft,  as  far  as  t  can  learn.  The  Mohegan  Indians, 
under  Uncas,  did  the  Englifli  great  fervicc  in  that 
war.  I  have  fcen  fcarce  any  account  of  any  other 
damages  in  Swanzey  and  Rehoboth,  bcfide  what 
have  been  recited,  except  the  Indians  killing  Capt, 
Willct's  fon  near  the  gari  ifon  inSwanzey  this  year. 
Middleborough  and  Dartmouth  were  butjull  be- 
gun before  the  war,  and  when  it  came  on,  thfr 
Englifh  and  part  of  the  Indians  thereinjremoved  to 
Plymouth  and  other  pi  aces  of  greater  faiety;  and  the 
large  body  of  natives  near  to  and  upon  Cape-Cod, 
continued  in  amity  with  the  En^lilh,  as  thofe  on 
the  Illands  fouth  of  it  alfo  did  ;  and  of  the  latter  I 
have  met  with  the  following  entertaining  account. 

Thomas  Mayhew,  Efq;  obtained  agrant  of 
Martha's- Vineyard,  with  the  iflands  adjacent,  and 
began  a  fettlement  at  Edgarton  on  the  eaft  part  of 
the  Vineyard,  in  1642,  where  he  was  their  chief 
ruler,  and  his  fon  their  minifter.  In  1646,  the 
fon  began  to  preach  to  the  Indians  with  iuccels  5 
to  promote  which  caufc  his  father  told  them, 
"  That  by  order  from  the  crown  of  England,  he 
was  to  govern  the  Englifh  who  fhould  inhabit 
thofe  Iflands  ;  that  his  royal  matter  was  in  power 
far  above  any  of  the  Indian  anonarchs  ;  but  that~ 
as  he  was  great  and  powerful,  fohc  was  a  lover  of 

juuicc  i 


:4^6      HISTORY  or  tmi  BAPTISTS 

juftice  ;  and  that  therefore  be  would  in  no  mei- 
furc  ifivade  their  juriiUidions,  but  on  the  contrary 
afiill  them  it   need  required  ;  that   religion  and 
government  were  di/tinh  things,  and  their  lachem* 
might  rtriin  their  juil    authority,  though  their 
fu bj eels  \\  ere  chriftians."     AVid  he    piaclifcd   ac- 
cording to  his  profeilion  ;  **  for  he  would  not  fuf« 
fer  any  to  injure  them,  cither  in  their  goods,  land* 
or  perfons.      i  hey  always  found  a  fatlier  and  pro* 
tedlor  in  him  ;  and  he  was  fo  far  from  introducc- 
ing  any  form  of  government  amQ|)g  them  againjl 
their  wi-Is,  that  he  firft  convinced  them  of  the  ad- 
vantage   of  it,  and  even  brought  them  to  defirc 
him  to  introduce  and  fettle  it.*'    This  wife  condudl 
and  the  goipel  means  that  were  ufed  with  them, 
produced  iiich  happy  elTeclg,  that  a  chriftian  church 
Wis  formed  and  organized  an^ong  tliem  five  years 
before  this  war.     And  now  in  the  time  of  it,  the 
government  furni&ed  thofc  chriftian  Indians  with 
arm*  and  ammunition, and  employed  them  todefcnd 
the  lilanda  againii  the  enemy.    '*  And  fo  faithful 
v/ere  they,' that  they  not  only  refolutely  rejected  the 
ftrong   follicications  of  the  nativ^es  on  the  neigh- 
bouring Main,   but,  in  oblc^vance  of  the  general 
orders  given  them,  when  any  landed   to  follicit 
them,  thi)ugh  fome  were   nearly  rel.ited  by  mar- 
raige,  and  others  by  blood,  yet  the  Ifland  Indians 
v^ould  immediately  bring  them  before  the  gover- 
nor to  attend  his  pleafure-'*     By  the  divine  blelT- 
ing  on  thefc  means,  though  the  Indians  there  were 
twenty  to  one  of  thcEnglifli,  yet  through  this  ex- 
tenfive  and  bloody  war,  "  Thefe  lllands  enjoyed  a 
perfecl  calm   of  peace  ;  and   the  people  wrought 
and  dwell  fecure  and  quiet."  * 

NiNEGRET 
*  Pn'nct'i   ef'pendix  to  Mayhtivs  Indian  inm'ert!,  p.  293— • 
i^h.    In  »hat  pcrfornwnoc  lind  that  Mr«  Petci  FouJger  wiH 
■  "%'  ■  .  early 


Ii6y62       IN  NEW. ENGLAND.       437 

Ni'^EGRFT  and  his  Nyantick  fubjeds,  who 
dwelt  fro.n  Fointjudith  up  to  Weftcrly,  on  the 
ihore  fouth  of  the  Narraganiets,  did  not  join  in  that 
war  J  and  a  conliderable  number  of  their  dcfcen- 

dants 

early  emr>!ove4  *s  a  *•  fchool-mafter  among  thofe  Indians,  and 

when  y.'uiig  Mr.   Mivhew   went  for  Enghnd,  in   1967,  Mr. 
Prince  fivs,   rficy   had   not  onl^-    feveral  Indian  teacher*  on  toe 
Ilhnd,  Bmc  ACo  "  an  able,  godly  Engliftiaian  named  i^cter  Foul- 
ger,  employed    in  teiching  the  youth  in  reading,  wrJtirg  and 
the    principles   of  religion  by   catcchiz'ng  ;  being  well  learned 
likewifc  in  the  fcripturc,  and  C"p.jb'e  of  helping  them  in  re?igi- 
ous  matters."     p.  291.     I  find  by    Mr.  Simuel  Hubbard,   that 
M,  Fo  Jger  became  a  baptift,  and  joined  Mr.    Clarke's  church 
abou*^  the  time  of  this   war  ;   as  Thomas  Weft  an  Englifb  man, 
an'l  fjme     ndiqns  from  thence  did  to  Mr.    Hifcox's  church,  in 
l68j).      Ad  VI  .  Foiilgf?  piomoted  the  baptifi  principles  annong 
thr  Indians.     Though  one  of  them  named  J-jpeth,  who  had  beea 
his  fchalar,  and  now  was  got  t  >  be  a  noted  tc;icher,  reminded  him 
th  <t  he  h-d  formerly   warned   them   againlt    f.ilfe   teachers  that 
■would   com;,   and   faid  he,    "  Now  fir,  I  find  y«>ur  prcdidlion 
true     for  von  you' ft!f  are  become  one  of  thefc  teachers,  you 
Cau-i  ined  us  ^gainft  ;   I  am  t -.« refore  fully  refalved  to  take  your 
g'Jud  c  uMfel,  and  not  believe  you  but  wtll  continue  ftedfa'ft  ia 
the  truths    wherein  ',  cu  formerly  inftruded  me.**     May  hew,  p, 
49,  fo      However  he  found  others  not  to  be  fo  refolute,  for  by 
the  time  that  their  g  >-•  e-'n  r  M  lyhew  died,  in  >68i,  the  baprift 
princip'e.s  had  prev^iit-d  con(i'*e-ably  among  them  ;  and  by  the 
year  1694,  they  had  one  b  ^ptift  church  on  the  Vineyard  among- 
the  chriilian   Indians,  and  anotJier  on  Nantucket.     M.^Tjilia, 
b.  6,  p    56      The  firft    Indian   paftor  over  thofe  bdptifts  c<^  the 
Vi«.;yard,   that  I  have  feen  any  account  of,  was  Siephen  Tacka- 
niifon.     He  firft  joined  to  a  church  of  the  other  denomination, 
in  Or  :<bout  1690.    Mr.  Mayhcw  informs  us,   that  he  was  rebap- 
iixed  fome  years  after,  and  became  a  member  and  si  teacher  of 
thit  church,  but  fays,  "  However,  he  appeared  to  be  fo  feriousa 
na  tn,  that  I  cannot  but  judge,  that  he  aded  according  to  the 
Jidates  of  his  eoafclence  in  what  be  did,  and  not  out  of  any 
b^fe  Or  ferdid  ends."    He  died  in  Chilmark,  in  I708  ;  and  our 
«iithor  fa)s,    *' I  had   frequent  c(nvcrfation  with  him  while  h« 
^'<s  in   health,    and  fometimes— in  the  time   of  that  lung  fick- 
nefs  whereof  Je  died  ;  and  never  from  hrft  trflaft  f^wany  thing 
b'.  h'm,  that  m-idc  me  any  ways  fufpcd  the  integrity  of  his  heart, 
but  ditt  ever  thiali;  bitn  to  be  a  eodiv  and  difcuwi  CL-ian.     The. 


43S     HISTORY  of  the  BAPTISTS    1 

^antsnow  live  there  in  Charlcftown  ;  and  in  1741 
a  great  reformation  took  place  among  them  ;  a 
baptift  church  was  formed  there  fome  years  after, 
©ver  whom  James  bimons  was  ordamcd  ;  and 

fince 

2aft  time  I  went  to  fre  him  he  profe/Tcd  his  good  opinion  ©f 
thoi'e  people  and  churche-,  trf>oi  <  hum  re  diflc  cd  in  his  appre- 
kcnlion-s  about  the  fubjc(fi!>  and*  mode  o  bdp.if.r,  and  bUuicd 
fome  of  his  btcjhren  tur  being  loo  utiCSantabh  and  cenforious 
towards  them  ;  and  he  on  other  fibjccts,  difcourfed  lilcc  a  good 
chriftidi.— He  fctrmednot  to  be  at  ail  tcrrihed  at  ihc  approaches 
of  (ieath  toivards  him,  of  whicti  he  was  very  fenfiblc,  but  ap-» 
pearedto  enjoy  that  peace  in  his  foul  which  paiTtth  underttand- 
icg."  P.  4z  ■  44-  The fe  are  the  words  of  iVIr.  Experience 
Mayhew,  in  his  Indian  converts,  publifbcd  in  J72T.  His  wor- 
thy fon  who  fuccacds  him  in  the  miniftry  among  the  Indians 
on  the  Iflatid,  treated  one  of  my  brethren  in  the  miniilery,  vory 
friendly  when  he  was  over  and  preached  among  ihofe  kapiifts, 
•ear  three  years  ago.  I  had  requefled  my  friend  to  collcdt  fome 
account  of  thofe  baptifts,  and  he  applied  to  Mr.  Mr^yhew  for 
that  purpofe  ;  who  promifed  he  would  get  the  btft  intelligence 
he  coufd  concerning  them,  from  an  aged  Aunt  ol  bii,  who  re- 
tained her  mental  powers  remarkably  and  others.  And  he  feni 
the  fam«  in  the  following  letter,  . 

••  Kkvkrend  SiK, 
In  compliance  with  ycur  reqiieft  I  have  got  the  beft  informa- 
tion I  could,  with  refpett  to  the  oiiginuf  antipcdobaptifts  at 
Martha's- Vineyard.  My  aged  Aunt  informs  me,  that  the  firft 
baptift  mininer  among  ihtln'diani  on  the  ifiahd,  that  (he  knew  or 
heard  ef,  was  one  IfaaC  Decamjjf,  who  came  from  the  Main-land 
with  bis  family,  and  pieachtd  and  adminiliereJ  the  ordinances 
of  baptifm  and  the  Loid's-fupper,  a  number  of  years  :  (he  is  i«- 
ccrtain  what  year  he  came,  but  according  to  the  befV  of  her 
memory  the  faid  Dccamy  died  near  lixty  years  agone  :  (he  faitk 
further,  that  he  was  a  man  of  a  fober  life  and  convcrfation. 
The  next  Indian  minifler  of  this  denomination,  by  the  beft  intel- 
ligence 1  can  get,  was  Jonas  Horfwct,  who  preached  and  sdmi- 
iiiftered  the  ordinances  to  a  fmall  focicty  of  baptifts  at  G?yhead» 
The  next  was  Ephraim  Abraham,  originally  of  Chappaquidick, 
attheeaftend  of  the  Ifland,  who  had  the  charge  of  the  fucicty 
atGayheid,  as  alfo  of  one,  which  about  this  time  was  formed  at 
faid  Chappsquidick.  The  next  ordained  minifter  wat.  Samuel 
K'kenchew,  whom  I  had  a  pcrfonal  acquaintance  with  :  he  lived!;, 
at  Cbappatjuidickj  w;i3  eftccm&d  by  fucb  as  Jiqcw  lim,  to  be  » 


[1676]      IK   NEW-EN  GLAND.      43^^ 

fince  that  Samuel  Nilcs,  both  of  their  own  nation ; 
and  a  confiderable  number  of  them  have  given 
lafting  cridince  of  their  being  pious  chriftians. 

It  may  be  proper  to  take  lorae  particular  notice 
here  of  Mr.  Clarke,  who  left  as  fpotlcfs  a  characler 
as  any  man  I  knew  of,  that  ever  acted  in  any  pub- 
lic  ftatioa  in  this  country.  *    The  MafTuchufett 

writer* 

nun  of  fenfc,  and  of  i  regular  and  ohriftian  life  and  converfe- 
lion.  There  *C'e  Tcveral  atncr  p.cachers  an:i')ngthein,  but  not 
ordained  ;  exc«  pi  Sil  is  P.J,  who  is  now  livicg,  and  is  an  or- 
dained p^ftor  of  the  bjpdit  church  at  Giyhead,  ardwhoalfo 
takes  upon  him  the  ctc  of  the  fmall  focicty  of  that  denomina- 
tion yt  Chippiquiiick  ;  preaching  occ  ifioT-illy  and  adniini. 
Bering  the  ordinaoees  to  them.  He  is  the  only  Indian  miniftcr 
of  this  denomination   now  upon  this  Ifland. 

This  is  the  bcft  information  that  can  be  obtained  by  youE 
friend  and  fellow- 1  ibourer  in  the  work  of  the  miniftcry. 

Zechariam  May  hew." 
Chilmark,    27  Auguft,  1774.  * 

Tm  is  was  dircdted  to  elder  Hunt,  who  fays  the  faid  Paul  io- 
formed  him,  that  he  \va9  then  34  years  old,  was  baptized  in 
17^8,  ordsfned  In  1763;  that  the  church  at  Gayhcad  had  ij 
m;mb-'rs,  and  the  other  16. 

*  He  was  born  Of^obcr  8,  1909  ;  married  Elizabeth,  daagh- 
ter  of  John  Harges,  Efq;  of  Bedrordlhire.  In  a  power  of  at- 
torney figne-i  by  them.  May  12,  |6';6,  he  Itiles  himfclf  Joha 
Glurkc,  phyfician  of  Londor.  It  was  for  the  recovery  of  a 
legacy  of^  20  per  annum  during  her  life,  that  was  given  her  by 
her  father  out  of  the  aiannor  of  Wreflingwoith  Bedfordfliire. 
Where  he  had  his  education  I  know  not  ;  but  the  following  claufe 
in  his  will  may  give  fome  idea  of  his  learning,  viz.  ''  Item, 
unto  my  loving  friend  Richard  Baily,  1  e'^c  ana  bequeath,  my 
concordance  and  lexicon  to  it  belonging,  written  by  myftlf, 
being  the  fruit  of  fcvc-al  years  fivid  ;  my  Hebrew  Bibles,  Bux- 
torff  s  and  PalTors  fixicon,  CoUoi'*  cunccrdi^ce,  and  all  the 
reft  of  my  b  'ok  ."  H.  fi;ft  .vite  died  at  Newport  without  an 
Ur.jc,  :::ii  Feb-  1,  ';j7I,  he  marrieJ  Mrs.  }\nc  Fletcher,  by 
whom  Kc6  14,  1^72,  rtc  had  a  daughter  born  ;  but  the  mother 
died  the  191,101  April  following,  and  the  li.igl-.rcrMay  18, 1673, 
His  thiri  Aife  Wf).  ihc  widow  Sarah  Davis,  who  furvived  him, 
beg<ve  foniv-  trgic'es,  hotii  to  her  and  to  the  children  (he  had 
byh=r  formsf  hulb«ind,  M:,  Eaily  caaie  from  Loaioa  vyivh  himf 
ia  1-664. 


#40      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

Wiitcrs  have  been  fo  watchful  and  careful,  to  pub- 
iiih  whatever  they  could  find,  which  might  ictm 
to  countenance  the  fevcricies,  thty  uieo  towards 
diflenters  from  their  way,  that  I  cxjJtdtcd  to  tnd 
fome  thing  of  that  nature  againft  Mr.  Clarke  ;  but 
have  happily  been  diiappointed  Though  he  was 
difarmcd  by  them,  in  1637,  and  imprilbned  and 
fined  at  Bofton,  in  1651,  and  he  expoicd  ihcir  in- 
juftice  and  cruelty,  to  him  and  his  brethren,  in 
print  the  next  year,  and  continued  in  England,  to 
oppofc  and  defeat  all  their  attempts  at  the  court 
there  againft  his  colony,  till  he  obtained  their 
prefent  charter  ;  yet  among  all  their  authors  or 
records,  that  I  have  fearchcd,  I  have  rot  met 
with  a  fmgle  refleclion  caft  upon  him  by  any  one  ; 
which  I  think  is  very  extraordinary.  Ihtre  was 
doubtlefs  enough  faid  againil  him,  for  his  princi- 
ples of  believers  baptifm,  and  liberty  oi  conlcitnce, 
to  fecure  him  from  the  wo,  of  be  ng  ipoken  well 
of  by  all  men  ;  yet,  like  i  aniel,  it  feems  as  if  his 
enemies  could  find  no  fault  in  him  in  matter  of 
the  kingdom,  but  only  concerning  the  law  of 
his  God. 

Few  men  ever  merited  the  title  of  a  Patriot 
more  than  he  did  ;  for  he  was  a  principal  pro- 
curer of  Rhode-Iiland,  for  futfercrs  and  exiles. 
And  when  their  rights  and  liberties  were  groHIy 
invaded,  he  crofled  the  boiftrous  ocean,  and  ex- 
erted all  his  influence,  in  twelve  years  watchful 
and  dilif^ent  labours,  for  his  colon v  at  the  Eritifh 
court,  till  he  obtained  a  new  charter  for  them,  ot 
great:  and  diiUnguiihing  privileges  ;  for,  the  ac- 
compliliiment  of  which,  he  moitgsged  his  own 
cftate  in  Newport,  willing  to  venture  his  all,  in  {o 
good  a  caufe,  though  he  was  not  infenfable  of  the 
Qovctcoufrief*  aad  iiigiatitude  ot  iome  great  pre.. 

tenders 


ti676j     iiT  N  k  W-IP  N  G  t  A  N  0.     44I 

tenders  t6  UBerty  in  that  cdiony  ;  wlioCe  injBlucncii 
liad  ciafed  a  great  deal  pf  trouble  and  ex  pence  to 
Mr.  Williams,  without  any  liiltablc  recompence.  * 
The  inventions  of  men  arc  fcarcc  ever  more  fruit* 
Kkk  ■  ful 

•  Sli  yeari  after  Mr.  Williams  obUmed  their  firft  charterj,' 
viz — On  March  22,  l6jO,  he  pref^nted  a  paper  to  the  deputies 
ind  inhabitants  of  Frovidertc«t,  which  contained  fOur  requcfts  for 
jjthers,  and  a  rifth  for  hiaifelf,  wherein  he  fays,  "  1  cannot  be 
fo  unthankful  to  you, and  To  inferiftb!e[of  myov/n  farnilies  comfprtp 
as  not  to  take  rioticie  of  your  cpntlnued  aild  conftant  love  andt 
Care,  in  your  many  public  and  folcran  orders  for  the  payoieijt  p£ 
that  rtioney  due  unto  »e  about  the  charter.  It  is  tjuc,  I  have  ne? 
ver  demanded  it ;  j'ea,  I  have  been  triily  cJe^irous,  that  it  piighf 
have  been  laid  out  for  fonie  further  public  benefit  in  each  town  ? 
but  obfcrving  your  loving  refolution  to  the  contrary;  I  have  af 
!aft  refolved  to  write  unto  you  fas  I  havea!fp  lately  done  to  Portf- 
nbouth  and  Newport^  about  the  better  orderir^g  ot  it  to  my  advan- 
tage. I  have  here,  through  God's  provideiicej  convenieacy  of 
improving  forhe  goats  ;  rriy  requeft  is  therefore  that,  if  it  »r>ay 
be  without  much  trouble,  you  would  pleafe  to  order  the  payment 
of  it  in  cattle  of  that  kind*  1  have  been  follicitcd,  and  have  pror 
mifed  my  help  abdut  iron  iVorks,  when  tlie  matter  is  ripe  j  ear- 
tleftly  defirous  dvery  way  to  further  the  good  of  ihe  town  of  Pro- 
viderace,  to  which  1  ani  fo  ntuch  engaged,  and  to  ycurfelves  th* 
loving  inhabitants  thereofi  to  whom  1  dctire  to  be  your  truly  lo,y.T 
inga«d  ever  faithful  RoGfek  Wjlliams.'^ 

Vet  ht  f\cvir  recQi^c^  all  Lis  pay  for  t^at  firft  chafter.  An^ 
ifj6us;h  the  firft  aflenibly  that  met  after  they  received  ihe  fccondj, 
^roted  Mr.  Clarte  the  reward  that  ha.K  bceh  mentioned,  yer  they 
A*'ere  very  backward  about  fulfilling  their  promlfe.  Their  gene- 
ral afiembliw  frorti  year  to  year,  wrote  to  ftir  up  the  towns  thereto  5 
tut  at  the  afTcmbly  of  April  t,  4671,  an  account  was  exhibiteid^ 
€x^rhin*d,  ipprovcd  and  tttefted  by  gavernor  Arnold  ^pd  three 
a'firtants,  which  is  now  extant  under  their  .own  hands,  whereia 
it  appears,  that  whert  M  .  Clarke  obtained  faid  charter,  he  haqt 
i-eeeived  but  £.  zzx  3/*  though  th;;  .charier  with  his  time  an^ 
piins,  coftj^s  651.  I'jf  tod.  an  idol,  .df  which  was  then  due  to 
him,  and  whs  ordered  to  be  paid  in  proviCm  pay.jtwo  pounds  fo» 
Oiie  ;  but  he  nev^er  received  acy  of  it  io  his  life-time.  JBy  ^i» 
p  jpers  I  find  thit  he  niortgiged  his  eftatc  io  Newport,  to  Capj. 
Richard  D*ans  of  London,  the  fame  monrth  that  he  procured  J±ijc 
charter,  and  that  it  w«  not  taken  up  till  Sept.  5,  1699,  vhf.f 
file  U&  payment  of  ^^i  15/  was  made  K«  Capt.  I^cane'*  h^ciri*. 


44*      tJISTORT  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

ful,  than  in  finding  out  ways  to  get  money,  ana 
excufes  to  keep  it  ;  but  how  few  have  parted  with 
it  for  piibiic  good,  (o  freely  as  Mr.  Williams  and 
Mr.  Clarke  did  ? 

After  Mr.  Clarke's  return,  he  Was  improved 
in  various  public  offices  ;  was  elected  deputy  go- 
vernor three  yearn  fuccefiively,  in  two  of  which 
he  aeceptcd  the  office  ;  but  all  the  concern  of  the 
ilate  did  not  prevail  with  hsmf,  as  it  has  done 
vith  many,  to  iieglcdt  the  affairs  of  religion. 
His  church  records  and  other  Writings  prove,  thd 
continuance  of  his  pallor al  f elation  to  the  firft 
church  in  Newport,  and  his  care  and  labours  to 
uphold  gofpel  worfhip,  and  difciplinc  therein.  And 
the  inflrumeiit  by  which  he  fettled  his  laft  con-* 
eefns  in  this  world,  fhcws  what  his  faith  and  hope 
werdj  als  ta  thatt  which  is  to  conje  5  for  therein  he' 
fays,  ^'  Whcreis  I  John  Clafke  of  NeS^poft,  in  the 
colony  of  Rhode-Ifland,  andPrtrvidehce  plantations 
in  New-England,  phyficiari,  ami  at  ^hrs  prefent^ 
through  the  abundant  goodnefs  and  mercy  of  my 
God,  tliough  Weak  in  my  body,  yet  found  in  m^' 
memory  and  undcfftanding,  and  beiiig  fenfiblcf 
of  the  inconvenieric6s  that  may  cnfue  in  calc 
I  fhouM  no't  fet  my  houfe  in  order,  before' 
this  fpirit  of  mine  be  called  by  the  Lord  td 
remove  out  of  this  tabernacle,  do  therefore  make 
and  declsre  this  my  laft  will  and  teftament,  in 
lilinncr  foilo'win^  ;  willing  arid  readily  refignin^ 
up  my  foul  unto  nty  merciful  Ptcdeemer,  through 
faith  in  whofe  death  I  firmly  hope  and  believe,  td^ 
cfcape  from  that  feeond  hurting  death,  and  through 
his  refurredion  arid  life,  to  be  glorified  with  hint 
in  life  ctcrn.tl.  Arid  iriy  fpirit  being  returned  out 
of  this  frail  body,  in  which  it  hath  converfcd  for 
about  fixty-fix  years  my  will  is,  that  it  be  decent* 


f  157^3       IN  NEW.EN GLAND.       44$ 

Jy  intered,  without  any  vain  oflentation,  between 
my  loving  wives  Elizabeth  antl  Jane,  already  dc- 
ceafed,  in  hopeful  expciSlation,  that  the  fame  Re- 
deemer \yho  hath  laid  down  a  price  both  for  my 
foul  and  body,  will  raife  it  up  at  the  laft  day  a 
fpiritual  one,  that  they  ipay  together  be  hnging 
hallelujah  unto  him  to  all  et(?rnity."  *  Oh  !  what 

mifcrable 

*  Copied  from  the  original  will,  d^td  April  o,  i6y6  ;  £nd 
he  quitKd  our  worlJ  the  iamc  aay.  As  he  left  n.  child,  he  gsvC 
jnmy  legacies  to  his  relncions  and  fritnds,  b  >th  in  that  colony 
and  the  Maifachufetts.  His  b. other  J^fcph  Clarte  waS  early  a 
mjnjber  of  the  church  ia  Newport  with  him,  and  was  often  a 
m^gittrate  of  the  Colony  j  whofc  fon  Jof:ph  w..s  alfo  a  mem- 
ber of  that  church,  and  then  of  the  church  m  VVcfterly,  where  his 
pofterity  are  numerous  and  refpedable  to  this  day.  Elder 
Clarke,  gave  a  particular  Iqt  of  laad  in  Newport,  to  his  brother's 
fon  John,  whole  poflerity  have  alfo  been  refpeCtabl^  ampag  the 
baptifts  ever  fince,  one  of  whom  i*  Mr.  Edward  Clarke,  now  a. 
gofpel  preacher  near  Providence.  Then  after  giving  a  fmall  lot 
in  town  to  his  church,  and  giving  his  v/ifc  the  ufe  of  hii  houfe 
and  farm,  containing  more  than  a  150  acres,  of  upland  and 
naarChes,  toge#\er  with  ten  acres  in  a  ptrt  of  Newport,  called  the 
neck,  during  her  lire,  he  gave  faidfarm  andnecktohis  friends, 
William  Wccden,  Philip  S«iith  and  Richard  Baily,  and  to  their 
affigns,  "  qualihcd  and  chofcn  in  manner  following  forever  ; 
that  is  to  fay,  that  when  it  (ball  happen  that  either  of  them  three 
deoeafe,  the  two  furviving  (br^W  mike  choice  of  an  underftanding 
l^erfon,  fearing  the  Lord,  to  fucc-cd  in  the  place  of  hiai  fo  de- 
eeafed  ;  and  in  cafe  the  two  furviving  differ  in  their  choice  of 
the  perfon  to  fueceed  in  the  room  of  him  fu  dcce^fcd,  thn  thcii 
the  choice  (ball  b<:  decidvd  by  lot  ;  which  perfon  fp  chofen  (hAl 
be  the  afTignecs  of  the  faicJ  pcrfcns  abnvcmcrticncd,  and  (i.<.ll 
have  eqiwl  power  to  ad  with  them  in  ill  matters  relating  to  the 
difpofal  of  the  profit  or  rent  of  the  faid  land  and  farm,  from 
fcime  to  time  ;  and  fo  all  perfons  chofen  asabovtfrfid  to  make 
good  the- faid  number  of  ^hrce,  (h^U  bt  deemed  and  tsken  tc  be 
the  alligns  of  the  faid  William  VVceden,  Phiiip  S'.vAxh  knd  llich-id, 
2aily,  and  none  ©ther  ;  wi.icS  faid  perfons  aud  their  a(f-gns, 
from  time  to  time,  chofcn  -ind  fucceeding  as  abo*'e  f^.id,  (hall  b^ 
feJiedofthe  faid  farmafldlmd  called  the  neck.tott^e  uf^andufes. 
following  forever  ;  that  ii  t;>  fay  faithfully  and  truly  to  diftribut« 
^i  difpiofe  cf  the  lenl  »nd  profit  of  «iy  ia'A  farjc^  and  land,  fof 


444     HiSTOnt  o?  TMi  BAPTIST! 

triirerable  things  arc  all  eiartWy  ple^furcs  or  glories, 
tvhen  compared  with  itich  a  lite,  and  iuch  a  death ! 
J^Iark  the  pirfeSl  man,  and  bshold  the  upright  ;  for 
the  end  of  that  man  is  psacs. 

It  has  often  been  obferved,  that  when  one 
heavy  affiiction  comes  upon  a  perfon  or  people, 
others  Toon  follow  ;  which  pbfervation  was  rc- 
liiarktly  veiefied  this  year.  For  befide  thofe  al- 
l^eady  named,  Mr.  Mark  Luker,  an  ancient  mem- 
ber^ and  a  ruling  elder  qf  Mr.  Clarke's  church, 
died  the  December  after  him,lcaving  the  charadcr 
of  a  very  worthy  walker. 

About 

^^  relief  of  the  pooti  or  hrJngtrig  up  ghildrcB  unto  learning, 
frofri  time  to  time  forever,  according  to  fuch  in^lructicns  a*  2 
iliall  give  izntt)  thcni,  bearing  even  date  with  thcfc  prcft:its.'' 
V'hich  inftruciions  are  in  thefc  words,  viz.  "  That  inthcdifpo- 
fal  of  thijvvhich  theLord  hath  bcftpwed'on  me,  and  I  havenow  bc- 
ifU^ed'  ybti  Witfci,  and  you  and  your  fuccciforsi  ihall  have  fpc- 
cial  fcgard  aj]d  Gare>  to  provide  for  thofe  that  fear  the  Lord  j 
Slid  in  all  things/  and  at  alt  titries,  fo  to  difchargc  the  truft  which 
J  have  repofed  in  you,  as  may  be  molt  i"or  the  glory  of  the  Mofi 
JHigh,  and  the  good  and  benefit  of  thofe  for  whom  it  is  by  m* 
txprclily  de%r.ed.-  ^^^^  CtARi^E." 

tiiiJ  eftatc  was  appraifed  a^  ioScl.  12s.  by  James  Earkerj 
Thomas  Ward,  and  Philip  Edcs,  who  made  oath  to  the  inven- 
toiy  Msy  17,  1676.  Said  farm  and  neck  they  appraifcd  at  530I, 
and  its  lat?  annuel  incocpc  has  been  220  doUars,  as  thefconorjible 
3o^^^S  Lyndon,  iilfq;  one  of  the  alHgnSj  informs  me  ;  who  fays 
ihe  firft  affigns  being  Mr.  Clarke's  intimate  friends,  were  inform- 
ed Ivy  him,  that  hia  intent  was  to  provide  for  religious  as  well  as 
civil  InfiruClion,  though  he  didnot  infert  the  word  miniftry,lcfl 
the  national  clergy  ftiould  lay  claim  to  it.  The rt fore  part  o^ 
faid  profits  have  been  improved  (6  naaintain  religious  teaching; 
in-ihat  church  ever  iine^.  Complaint  wan  made  in  I72i,thaf 
pre  of  thefc  affigfts  wa»  unfaithful  la  hia  truft,  which  caufcd  the 
airtfmfely  to  take  the  cafe  iri  hand  ;  >vho  at  length  made  a  law  to 
impower  the  town-couftcil  in  each  ^own  to  enquire  bow  all  chari- 
table donations  t}iercin  weremanaged,andbyajury  of  twelve  mi;i», 
upon  oath,  to  a/Tefi  damages  upon  delinquents  ;  to  whom  there- 
fore the  alH^as  absvefaid  baVe  anaaally  bcca  accountably  ixti 


[?6773       iif   NEW.ENGLANI>.      445 

Apoyr  the  begining  of  1677,  came  out  Mr, 
Williams'^  account  of  his  difputc  with  theC^iakers, 
upon  which  M.  Cordington  wrote  over  to  his 
friend  Fox  and  faid,  *'  Here  is  a  lying  fcandalous 
t>Qok  pf  Roger  Wilhanis  of  Providence,  printeti 
at  Cainbridge  in  Ncw-Englaiid — I  have  known 
him  about  fifty  years  a  meer  weathercock,  con- 
llant  only  in  inconftancy  :  poor  man  !  that  doth 
not  know  what  fhould  become  of  his  foul,  if  this 
night  it  fhould  be  taken  from  him.  He  was  for 
the  priefts,  and  took  up  their  principles  to  fight 
^igainft  the  truth,  and  to  gratify  them  and  bad 
magiftrates,  that  licked  up  his  vomit,  and  wrote 
the  faid  fcurrilous  bpok  ;  and  fp  hath  tranigrefl'ed 
for  2l  piece  of  bread.  And  fo  are  all  joined  with  the 
red  dragon  to  pour  out  their  flood  againft  the  man- 
(hi/d.  Into  their  fccrets  let  not  ^y  foul  come  , 
my  honor  be  not  thou  united.  Dear  G.  F,  I  may 
yet  more  prove  what  I  have  faid.  One  while  he 
is  a  feparateft  atNew-Plymouth,  joining  withtheni 
till  they  are  weary  of  him  (as  from  Morton'sme  mo- 
rial  in  print  doth  appear ;)  another  time  you  may 
have  him  a  teacher  or  a  m^n^her  of  the  church 
at  Salena.  O  !  then  a  great  deal  of  devotion  is 
pleaded  in  women  wearing  of  vails  in  their  alTem- 
ulies,  as  if  the  power  of  godlinefs  was  in  it  ;  and 
^o  have  the  crofs  out  of  the  colours  ;  lud  then  to 
be  agjainft  the  King's  pa»cnt  and  authority,  and 
writeth  a  large  book  in  quarto  againft  it.  And 
another  time  he  is  hired  for  money,  and  gets  a  pa- 
tent from  the  long  parliament,  fo  that  it  is  not 
Jong,  but  he  is  off  and  on  it  again.  Qne  time  for 
mens  wearing  caps,  and  nothatsfor  covering  their 
faces  ;  and  again,  hats  and  no  caps  ;  one  time  for 
"Water  baptifm,  m.en  and  women  muft  be  plunged 
|nto  the  water  j  and  then  throw  it  all  do\^'n  again  1, 


'44^      HISTORY  oi  the  BAPTISTS  . 

fo  that  Cotton  (who  in  his  day  did  know  the  pew.* 
isr  of  God  to  fahation)  f2ici  of  him,  that  he  was  a 
hfirberdujhtr  offmall  que-^ions  agahi/l  th^  poiju^r.  So 
they  ought  to  have  feared  God  and  the  King, 
that  i»  to  punifti  evil-doers  ;  and  therefore  not  to 
meddle  to  their  hurt,  with  him  that  is  given  ta 
change'^  iVnd  goes  on  to  fay  he  was  credibly  in- 
foraied  that  governor  Leveret  (iiid  he  would  give 
2oi  and  governor  Wjnllow  5].  rather  than  that 
book  fhould  not  be  printed.  Scott's  letter  whic}\ 
is  mentioned  in  p.  108,  was  alfo  wrote  on  this  op- 
cafion,  wherein  after  accufing  Mr.  Williams  of 
afting  contrary  to  his  own  principle  of  liberty  of 
confcience,  he  fays,  "  Witnefs  his  prcfpnting  of  it 
to  the  court  at  Newport  ;  and  when  this  woul4 
not  take  eflecl,  afterwards  wlien  the  commiflioners 
were  two  of  them  at  Providence,  being  in  thp 
houfc  of  Thomas  Oincy,  fenior,  Hoger  \VilIiams 
propounded  this  queftion  to  them  ;  we  have  a 
people  h?rc  among  us,  who  will  not  act  in  our 
government  with  us,  what  courfe  fhall  we  take 
with  them  ?  George  Cartwright,  one  of  the  comr 
mifiloners,  afked  him  what  manner  of  perfons  they 
were  ?  do  they  live  quietly  and  peaceably  amongft 
you  ?  This  they  cou^d  not  deny  ;  then  he  made 
this  anfwer,  if  they  can  govprnthcmfelves,  they 
have  np  need  of  your  government  ;  at  which  they 
were  filent.  This»  was  told  again  by  a  women  of  the 
the  houfc  where  the  fpeech  was  fpoken,  to  ano- 
ther women,  whom  the  complaint  with  the  reft 
was  made  againft,  who  related  it  to  me  ;  but  they 
are  both  dead,  and  cannot  bear  witnef*  with  me, 
10  what  was  fpoken  there."  * 

These  letters  being  fent  over  with  the  book  to 
Fox,  he  with  John  Burnyeat  publiflied  them,  with 

f  '^Qx,  part  fccond;  p.  245,  2/^9» 


Ii6p^      iH   NEW-lNGLANDi      44;' 

an  anfwer  to  Williams,   in    1678,  whleh  they  in* 
titled,  ^  New- England  firebrand  quenched.     Fox's 
former   bodk  in   tblio   Williams   fays  was  wrote 
again  ft   about  fix  fcore  authors  and   papers,  to 
which   Edward  Burroughs  wrote  a  preface  ;  and 
feme  tilings  that  they  faid  in  the  difpute,  turned 
bis  thoughts  fo,  as  from  thoie  names  he  called  his 
work,  Georgt  Fox  digged  out  of  hisBurroughs.  Such 
titles  were  more  common  in  that  day  than  ours, 
but  Ihave  nothing  to  fay  to  juftify  them,nor  a  great 
deal  of  the  language!  that  was  ufed  ori  both  lides. 
What  I  am  concerned  with  is  fa6t  and  not  dialecb. 
As  Mr.  Williams  had  occafion  to  vindicate  many 
things  in  the  writings  ot  Mr.  Richard  B  ixter,  Dr* 
John  Owen,  and  others  that  Fox  had  written 
againft,  whom  Williams  call  pious  and  learned  men  ; 
he  prefixed  a  particular  addrefs  to  them,  in  which 
he  fays,  "  As  to  matters  in  difference  between  your 
felves  arid  me,  1  have  willingly   omitted  them  as 
knowing  that  many  able  and  honeft  feamen  iri 
their  obfervations  of  the  fun  (one  picture  of  Chrift 
Jefus)  differ  fometimes  iri  their  reckirigs,  though 
uprightly  aiming  at,  artd  bound  for  one  port  and 
harbour.     I  humbly^eg  of  you,  i .  That  you  will 
more  and  more  earncftly,  candidly  and  chriftianly 
ftudy  the  things  that  differ  without  refleding  up- 
on credit,  maintend7ice,  liberty,   and  life  itlelf  re- 
membering who  it  was  that  faid,  lie  that  loves  his 
lifePoall  lofe  it.     2.  Mor*e  and  more  ftudy  the  pr<}- 
phefies  and  th^  figns  of  the  times  :  you  know  when 
it   was  that  five  biihdps,  twenty-two   riiinifters, 
and  almoft  three  hundred  other  precious  believers 
in   the   true   Lord  Jcfiis,  were  facrificed   in  the 
flames,  for  his  ever  blcffed  fake,  againft  that  mon- 
ftrous  man  of  fm  and  bloody  whore  of  Roriie* 
Theft  Foxians  fancy  is  Uut  <i  fcattXtr  t9  thofe  high 

Pico'6 


U^     HISTORT  at  tke  BAPTISTS 

Pico's  and  TenarifTsj  the  Vope  ^nd  Mahomet^ 
-whom  fome  of  you  maylive  to  fee  flung  into  the 
Like  that  burns  with  tire  and  brimftone.*'  To 
this  they  anfwer  and  fay, 

"  Here  you  may  fee,  though  there  is,  and  hatK 
been  great  difference  betwixt  R.  W.  R.  B.  and 
J.  O.  yet  all  thefle  have  written  againft  Gt)d*s  peo- 
ple, that  are  in  the  truth.^^But  it  is  well  if  they 
come  to  repentance  for  -what  they  have  done,  for 
imphfoning  and  perfecuting  us,  tvhen  they  had 
both  thc/wsrd  ^nd  the  l^ag.  And  fo  R.  W.  and 
the  reft  of  th^  New-England  priefts,  liive  been 
ip'ie  with  them  iri  the  Jpirit  of  envy  and  malice  againft 
the  people  of  God,  like  the  wily  foxes,  ivbo/h  blocd 
lyeth  at  all  y cur  doer s.-^ AW  may  fee  what  a  dcvilijh 
and  unchriftianmindisin  this  R.W.whofe  defires 
arc  to  R.  B^  and  J.  O.  that  they  may  fee  Mahomet^ 
and  the  Turk,  and  the  whore  of  Rome,  and  us 
(that  he  joins  with  them)  flung  into  the  lake  of 
iire.*'*  And  iji  anfwer  to  his  attempt  to  prove 
thdit  pride  about  fpiritual  matters  Vv'as  the  toot  and 
branch  of  their  religion  they  fay,  '*  Roger,  this  is 
their  condition,  and  the  New  England  priefts  and 
profcflbrs.  Oh  !  that  your  eyes  were  open  that 
you  might  fee  it^i-  and  fo  '^vhat  thou  raealurcft  to 
others,  it  will  be  mearfurcd  to  thee  again,  prcfled 
down  and  running  over;  arid  ithe  god  of  the 
world  will  fail  thee  in  thy  prooffi,  and  hath  failed 
thee;  as  he.  did  tby  mother  Eve,  and //j)' father 
Adam,  f  For  this  is  the  moUth  of  the  pit,  thit 
thou  fpeakeft  of,  and  Lucifers  boaft  in  thee  agamft 
the  children  of  the  Lord,  that  are  daily  ift  jeopardy 
of  their  lives,  and  fome  of  them  have  loft  thcit 
lives  amongft  you  in  New-England,  in  obedience 
to  the  comuiaiid  of  Chrift  their  faviour.     And  we 

know 
*  Fox,  p.  :       :  „♦  t  "VNTay  not  m^e  ? 


[1677]       11^   NEW-EN GLAND.       44^ 

kno\v,  they  hated  Chrift  our  Lord  and  ?;Tiftcr 
without  a  caufe,  and  fo  you  do  us.  But  K.  Wi 
may  fiy,  he  d(7th  not  pciiceu.e  wi'h  his  I: rinds, 
biit  let  him  read  p.  200  of  his  book,  ivhevcin  he 
declares  liimfelf,  that  a  clue  and  moikrate  ii./traint 
he  luould  have  infllcled  upon  us^  yea,  liiroagh  pre- 
tending confcience  ;  and  he  -would  not  have  tiiis 
tiWQd  pfi'fecut Ion.  But  would  H.  W.  be  fo  ierved 
himfclf?  No;  but  now  he  lives'  in  a  peaceable 
government,  where  he  cannot  exercire  his  cruehy,^ 
and  he  hath  not  the'fvc^ord  in  his  hand,  but  is  iri 
a  reftlefs  fpint,  who  grudgetli  at  the  liberty  of 
others,  and  cannot  be  content  with  hiS  own." 
Again  they  mention  his  plea  for  liberty  ag^inft 
the  bloody  tenet  in  1652,  arid  lays,  "^'  But  11.  W. 
h  fallen  from  that  flea,  who  novv  delireth  the  ma~ 
giftrates  to  perfecute  us,  &c.  and  it  niuft  riot  be 
called  p'errecution  neither,  lis  in  p.  100  ;  and 
many  things  we  would  bri;ig  out  of  h^s  former 
books,  which  w"ould  renck-r  hirrt  very*  uncertain  j 
but  we  fliall  forbear  at  the  prefen*,  and  leave  him 
to  the  Lord,  for  his  books  declare  themfelves, 
what  he  faid  then,  and  v^hat  he  faith  nov/  ;  but 
the  reader  may  fee  how  R.  W.  hath  invented.^  and 
forged  naany  words  againft  us,  the  people  of  God 
in  fcorn  called  Quakers, v/hiGht  we  licver  ipoke  nor 
wrote."  * 

They  refer  to  that  prfge,  front  one  end  to  ^he 
Other  of  their  book,  to  prove  him  a  perfecutor  j 
and  when  the  Magnatia  came  out  i.ft  1702,  John^ 
Whiting  wrote  an  anfwcr  the  next  yeai',  whereia 
he  fiitd  of  the  authoi*,  *'  He  compare!^  Boj^^er 
Williams  to  a  vyind-mill,  that  by  his  ranid  ri: ration- 
was  like  to  fet  the  whole  country  oti  iifc™ye(; 
L  I  1  coin  mends 

*F/9Jp  p.  10,  llPartfecnnd.^.zxz,  In  p.  241,  and  z 42 they 
f?»c.it  ti»«ir  rcfercuccio  that  paj^c,  ia  liJsc  Bu»ner. 


45°     nioiuni   or  the  iSAriiii^ 

commends  him,  though  fnch  a  wind-mill,  for  his 
oppofition  a^ainft  the  C^akcrs—^but  that  habe^-- 
dalhcr  of  fm^ill  qVieftrons  againft  the  power  of  gcdU- 
nefs^  as  their  great  Cotton  calkd  him,  was  aniwtred 
by  George  Fox  and  John  Eurnyeat,  in  another 
book  inttxled,  A NeivEnglandf.f-C'hrand  quenched.'^* 
Joicph  Crrove  publi-licd  his  abridgmvnt  of  bifhop 
vitii  notes,  the  lame  year.  Artd  agaiirft  where 
bifhop  had  mentioned  Mr.  K(;rt<in,  Grove  lays'j 
**  This  is  that  pr^eil  Norton,  whOrnCotton  TvTathtT/ 
m  his  late  hiftory  of  New-Kngland,  fo  mnchcom-^ 
monds,  and- with  his  brother  in  iniquity,  John 
AVilfon,  raiiks  v.ith  John  Cottcm,  a  man  oiTibettef 
fpirit  in  his  day"  f 

'Vnvt  both  parties  conldextot  Mr. CottOn, while 
they  vented'  thci-r  refentment  ag^itift  Mr.  "Williams 
at  a  high  rate  ;  and  by  thefe  rr^eafls,  sr.d  by  fome 
connection  with  the  Coddiligton  family,  Mr.  Cal- 
lendcrin  his  (-cntury  lernion  Ibuplcd  to  own  him 
for  a  baptift,  and  in  the  dedication  of  it,  fet  Mr. 
Coddingtori  up  as  the  main  founder  an4  fupportef 
of  that  colony.  Thoagh  by  his  papers,  1  find  h^ 
was  afterwards  convinced  of  his  error  herein  ;  and 
let  us  now  examine  tJie  evidences  refercd  to,  t6 
prove  thofe  dreadful  charges  againft  Mr.W'illiamsi 

I.  Morton  docs  not  reprcicnt  that  the  pe6pl<t 
'Oi'cre  weary  of  him  it  Plymouth,  but  that  they 
were  backward  to  grant  his  rcqueft  of  a  difmiiTic^il 
to  Salem,  thourh  their  elder  prevailed  with  theny 
to  do  it ;  and  governor  Bradford  blclfed  God  fo? 
the  good  tflecls  of  his  niiniftiy  many  years  aftei* 
he  was  banifhed,  p.  54.  2.  Like  thoiehe  callsNew- 
England  priefls,  CoddingtOn  tries  to  draw  women! 
vails,  and  mens  liats  end  caps  over  people's  eyesf,;' 

•  "V^'kiting  agalnft  Maiherj  p.  55,  56. 
t  Eiftiv;p,  p.  12-^ 


Ci€77]      IN  N  E  W .  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.        451 

to  prevent  a  juft  view  of  thofe  afTairs  ;    Mr.  Ftub^ 
bard  fpcaks  of  rhofc  vails,  as  the  i?ril  article  ia  his 
account  of  .the  cauics  of  Mr.  Williams's  banifiinient, 
though  he  is  fo  honcft  as  to  let  us  know,  that  it 
"Was  Mr.   Skelton  who  introduced  the  cuftom  a^ 
Salem,  which  Mr>  Williams  only  concuiTcd  with  ; 
,and  governor  Hutchinfon  Ihcws,  thajt  Mr.  Cottoa 
had  Ipoken  in  favor  of  that  mode  of  drefs  in  Eng- 
land ;   but   now  he  went  to  Sakm,  and  preached 
the  people  out  of  conceit  of  it.     And  among    ail 
Mr.  Williams's  niimerous  writings,  I  have  not  met 
\yith  any  thing  about  it ;  no,  nor  about  his  hat  or 
f  ap  though  in  the  Maffachufett  records,  I  find  that 
the  year  before  they  baniilicd  him,  when  Codding- 
ton  was  both  a  magiftrate  and  their  trcafurer,  they 
Tni:(^c  zhw  zgMnHjuper^uous  and  expgtiftv^fajhiom, 
■wherdn  they   prohibited  the  making  or  wearing 
q(  beaver  hats  upon  penalty  of  forfeiting  of  thenj 
if  they  did.     3.  As  to  the  crofs  in  the  military  co- 
lours, which  Hutchinfon  allb  names  as  a  fullicicnt 
ground  for  the   authority  to   take   hold   of  Mr. 
Williams,  it  is  certain  from  Winthrop  Hubbard, 
and   the  colony  records,  tkat  the   afiembiy  took 
hold  of  Endicot  and  not  Williams  for  that  acl,  and 
put  hin>  out  of  all    office  for   one  year    therefor  ; 
and  the  Magnalia  affures  us,  that  the  fcruplc  about 
that  Popifh  fign  prevailed  in    their  colony,  after 
Mr.  Williams  was  gone  out  of  it.*     4.  Upon  the 
affairs  of  the  patent,  Codcfington  artfully   flips  in 
the  word  authority,  willing  with  hi*  friend  Cotton, 
to  have  "IVilliams  appear  as  a  rebel  againft  the  king. 
We   leavn  from    governor   Winthrop,   that  Mr. 
Williams  firft  wrote  upon  that  fubjecl  at  Plymouth, 
and  after  he  came  to  Salem,  the  court  cnlled  for  ^ 
^opy  of  it,  which  he  granted  them,  and  then  nea? 

♦  Book  7,  p.  I  J, 


45^-      ?nSTORT  or  the  BAPTISTS 

the  clofe  of  1633,  they  had  hmi  before  thern  ;  but 
he  gf.ve  tiiem  iuch  fatisfaclipn  about  it,  that  they* 
diiiijlTed  him  ;  yet  they  afterward  brought  in  antj 
r£*-examined  that  niatter,  as  imi^  caufcot  his  banifli- 
ment.*  5.  By  the  foregoing  hillory,  the  reader 
may  (cc  with  what  grace  the  Quakers  could  ac- 
cui'e  Mr.  Williams,  of  bein^^  niercinary  or  hired 
for  f^iCitiey,  ia  procuring  their  firfl  charter.  And  I 
iind  thit  when  h^  »vas  fctting  oft' upon  his  feci>nd 
agcnc-   '  .  ddington's  commiliion   re-f 

•wok-:a.  x.c,  ou  oepi.  3,  iv^^t,  fold  his  trading  houfe 
a'hci  interell  jii  Narraganfet,  for  5®!-  to  JMr.  Richr 
ara  Smith.  \  His  great  crimp  therefore,  was  his 
advancing  fuch  r^ueitions  as  he  didj  a.gainji  the  pew's 
^r  ;  which  in  plain  terms,  was  a  power  to  frauie  to 
themfelv^s  a  goffci  and  if  Chnfl:  without  the  crofs, 
A  power  to  fufpend  obedience  to  what  they  looke4 
upon  to  be  truth  in  England,  and  to  compel  others 
to  their  judgment,  when  they  had  got  out  of  the 
prelates  reach.  Yea,  a  power  to  confirm  and  iup- 
port  fuch  Gorruptioiis  by  oatlis,  both  there  and 
here.     p.  71. 

Mn.  Williams  fays,  ''cafes  hnvc  befallen  my- 
fclf  in  the  chancery  in  England,  &c.  of  the  lofs  of 
gre^t  fums,  which  I  choie  tu  bear  through  th?:- 
Lord's  help,  rather  than  yield  to  {h^  formality  (then 
and  ilillin  ufc)  in  God's  woriliip,  tliough  1  otlered 
to  fwear  in  weighty  cafes,  by  the  name  of  God, 
as  in  the  prcfence  of  God,  and  to  atteft  or  call 
God  towjtncfs  ;  and  the  judges  told  me  they  would 
reft  in  my  teftimony,  and  way  of  fwearing,  but 
they  could  not  uifpenfc  with  me  without  ^n  act  of 
parliamcnt."J  And  in  the  face  of  all  their  re- 
proaches, \  arq  bo^d  in  it,  thatl  know  not  of  one 

Pcdobaptiit 

*  Williams's  reply  to  Cottoft,  p.  277. 

i"  Ne  vporl  Rccordu. 

J  >Vgainft  the  Quakers^  aj'jpendix  p.  59,  60, 


[1677]      IN  N  E  W-E  N  G  L  A  N  D.     4$% 

Pedobaptift  or  Quaker,  that  came  to  this  country 
in  that  age,  who  acted  fo  confiftantly  and  iteadi* 
ly  upon  right  principles  about  government  an4 
liberty,  as  Mr.  Williams  did  ;  neither  do  1  thini-^ 
ihiz  they  had,  or  have  any  caule  to  glory  over 
him  as  to  religion.  Though  Mr.  Cotton  rep le-? 
Rented  it  as  a  meer^r^/^'/zCi^forhim  toTellof  ch;^icf| 
gDvernment,  when  he  did  not  join  fully  with  ai.y 
church  that  was  theji  extant,  yet  he  replies  and 
fays,  "  The  iji/iitut'ion  of  any  government  and  or- 
der is  on?  thing,  and  the  adminijiration  and  exLji  if,. 
iion,  which  may  be  interrupted  and  eclipfed,  inar,o- 
taer.  Jeremiah  could  not  rightly  have  been  ji-<^^^ 
ed  a  pretender,  wheri  he  mourned  lor,  and  ia* 
rnented  the  defolations  of  the  temple,  priefts,  eW' 
ders,  altar  and  facrifices  ;  and  neither  he  n^.f 
Paniel,  nor  any  of  God's  fervants,  could,  during 
the  dcfolation  and  captivity,  acknowledge  either 
tcniple,  altar  or  facrifice  aright,  extant  upon  tLe 
face  of  the  earth,— Although  the  difcuffor  be  not 
fatisfied  in  the  period  of  the  tunesy  and  the  manner 
of  Chrifl's  glorious  appearing,  yet  \\\^fQul  uprightly 
dsfires  to  fee  and  adore,  and  to  be  thankful  to 
Jiiailer  Cotton,  yea  to  the  leaft  of  the  difciples  of 
Chrift,  for  any  coal  or  ^ark  of  true  light,  among' 
fo  many  falfe  and  pretended  candles  and  canJiQ 
iiicks."  *  Now  as  no  man  was  permitted  by  f-zra, 
to  ofhciate  as  i  priefl:  at  God's  altar,  but  thofeuho 
would  fnd  their  regifler  of  a  lawful  defccnt  from 
Aaron,  and  the  church  had  been  through  a  more 
terrible  captivity  in  myilical  Babylon,  between  ciie 
apoflolic  age  and  that  we  are  upon,  than  the  Jew* 
had  in  Chaldea  ;  how  could  a  man,fo  hon0  aN  1V!t, 
Williams  was,  receive  any  man  to  adminifter  the 
pjdinance   of  the  fupper  to.  hirp,  who  cou'd  not 

ipro4u(^C 
*  P.epir  to  Cotton,  p,  195,,   107, 


45$      HISTORY  or  the  BAPTISTg 

produce  a  regijler  of  his  fucccfllon  from  the  apq* 
Ales  ?  p.  110.  I  know  of  no  other  confiilant  way, 
to  get"  over   this  difnculty  but  this  ;  tliat  as  the 
Jawhil  feed  of  Aaron  were  to  govern  in  the  Jewifh 
chiirch,  fo  are  the  fpiritual   feed  of  Chriil  to  go- 
vern in  his  church,  ipto  which  none  ought  to  be 
jidmitted,  without  gofpel  evidepce  ot  their  being 
fuch  ;  anditfcerps  that  Mr.  Williams  had  not  at- 
tained to  a  clear  lettlejnent  in  this  point.     But  ir? 
iny  opinion  his   greateil   miftake,    when  he  lirt^ 
fame  to  this  country  was,  his  blending  the  duties 
of  natural  and   revealed  religion  too  inuch  toge- 
ther.    The  light  of  nature  teaches  the  importance 
■iofj'ceking  to  God  for  what  we  need,  and  oi praifing 
\i\n}.  for  what  we  receive";  which  duties  ought  to 
\)t  inculcated   upon  all  men,  as  much  as  love  tq 
God  or  our  neighbours  ;  whi|e  the   revealed  in- 
ftitutions  of  baptifm  and  the  fupper,  are  tokens  of 
fellowfliip  with   Chrift,   and   therefore  cannot  be 
pur  duty  to  perform  before  we  arg  united  U>  him. 
Pfalms,   107,    Ajfts   17,  27.    Rom?  ij^o?  '^i-  ^1^4 
6.  3 — 5.   ft  Cor.    10,    16.    But   for  a  while,  Mr. 
Williams  feemed  to  limit  thefc  two  kinds  of  duties 
fllike  to   the   regenerate.     It  is  alfo  well  known, 
that  the  divine  ruler  is  perfect, but  that  thebeft  of 
^en  in  this  ftate  are  imperfect,  and  how  far  we 
are  to  cxercife  forbearance,  and  how  not,  has  not 
i^een  an  eafy  queflion  to  the  moft  cnlightnedfainta; 
yet  Mr.  Williams's   grand   crime  in  the  view  of 
both  of  thefe  parties,  was  becaufe  he  would  not 
yield  to  their  power  in  this  m-ittcr.   And  the  paf- 
fage  the  Qiv^kers  fq  often  appealed  to,  as  an  evi-. 
dencc   of  his    being  a   bloody    perfecutor,  is  as 
follows. 

An  author  had  faid,  the  fakers  f pint  doth  teach 

them  to   honor   m  man.     Upon   which  Fox  fai^,, 

-■       ^^  Tlut   ' 


f.i677]       IN  NE W.ENGLAND.      4Si 

■'  That  is  a  He  ;  for  it  teach eth  thesi  to  jbave  all 
men  in  efteemi  and  to    honor  all  men  In  the  Lord  j  v 
vet  they  are  convinced  by  the  kwai^  tranrgieflbrs' 
:f  theyVcfpcd  mens  perfons  as  you  do.     In  reply 
to  which  Mfv  W.   fays,  '^  All  men  may  fee  how 
truly  they  honor  kU  in  the  Lord,  and  what  Lord 
they  rn.an,  whem  his  firft  >vord  to  his  oppoilte  is 
thai  m'oft  provoking  term, /to  iV  "^//<?.     It  is  true 
that  Chrift  Jefas  Tind  hh  fervants,  ufcd  fliarp  re- 
proofs, fiinilitudes,    S:c.  but  tlius  fuddenly  at  the' 
firft  dafly  to  give  fire,   thou  /y^,  thai  is  a  lie,  Src. 
Shews  neither  religion  nor  civiiiii-,  but  a  barbarous 
fpirit,  for  they   that    know  the  barbarians^  knov/ 
how  common  that  word  is  in  all  their  mouth's— r 
Tke  moft  Holy  and  only  Wife  knows  how  proud!- 
ly  and  fimxrly,  and  barbaroufly  they  have  run  intc/ 
uncivil  and  inhuman  behaviour  towards  all  their 
.  fuperioTs,  the  elctcft   aiid  high  eft,  how  t!iey  have 
declared  by  prineiprc  and  praftice,  that  there  arc 
ho  mcii  to  be  refpected  in  the  v»orld  but  them- 
felvcs,  as  b'cingGod's  and  Chrift's.     It  is  irue  our 
Englifh'  bibles  and  gramnlar  (as  Fox  in  his  great 
learning  often  objecl:s)rnakes  thou  to  a  fingleper- 
fon,  and  tholi  in  holy  fcripture  is  ufed  in  a  grave 
and  refpeclivc  way  unto  fupcriors,  unto  kings  ancf^ 
j)atents,  and  ♦  God  hi'mfclf^     But   i.  the  Hebrew 
and  Greek  fi*gniff  no'  more  thou  than  you,  and  io 
may  bfe   truly  turned.     i,  Evefy  nation,  every 
fiiire,  every  calling  have  th'eir  particular  propertief" 
'  or  idioms' of  fpeech,  which  arc  improper  and  ridi- 
tuloui  with"  others'.     Hence  fhefefinfiple  reformers' 
are  extrcaiAly  ridiculous  in  gHing  th6u'  and  thee 
to  every  body,  which  our  nation  comm'oAly  gives 
to  familiars  only  ;  and  they  are  infufferably  proud 
and  contemptuous  unto  all  their  fuperiors  in  ufrng* 
thou  to  e\'ery  body,  which  our  Englifh  idiom  or 

propriety 


4^8     rilSTOKt  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

propriety  of  fpecch,  ufeth  in  a  way  of  familiarity, 
or  anger,  fcorn  and  contempt.  1  have  therefore 
J3ublidy  declared  myfclf,  that  i  due  and  moderate 
leth-aint,  and  punifhing  oi  thefe  i?icivilities  (though 
jpretending  confcience)  is  (a  far  fro."*!  perfecution, 
(propcr'y  fo  called)  that  it  is  a  duty  and  command 
of  God  unto  all  mankind,  firft  in  families,  and 
thence  into   all  human  iocieties."  * 

This  is  all  the  paflags  in  his  whole  bock  that 
ifpcak;^  in  favour  of  puniiliing  Quakers  ;  and  com- 
pared with  the  inflance  of  Norton's  hicivilitles  to 
governor  Prince  and  others,  and  obfcrving  that 
the  emphciies  lies  upon  thtir  manner  of  ufing  thofe 
words,  the  reader  wi!i  judge,  \vhcther  a  moderate 
fiiniihinfr  of  the  fame,  is  any  ways  inconfiftant^^'ith 
Mr.  William's  plea  for  liberty  againi>  Mr.  Cotton. 
And  as  to  his  pradice,  we  learn  cxprellly  that  the 
ilritianGe  Seott  refers  to  at  Newport,  was  that  of 
i^arris's  at  the  election,  in  i'555.  And  though  \\t 
zxid  i\Ir.  Coddington  fubmitted  to  Mr.  tVilliam's 
{government  the  next  year,  (a  few  months  beTore 
the  Quakers  arrived)  yet  after  that  they  and  others 
became  fo  fplritual  a^  to  refufe  to  a6l  therciifi^ 
This  it  feems  caufcd  Mr.  Williams  to  afk  Mr.  Carf- 
wright  what  they  fhould'do  with  them,  which  iri 
their  view  was  another  proof  of  his  perfeeuting 
dlfpofition.  In  1665  their  afTcmbly  framed  an  en« 
ga  ^^ment  to  the  government,  which  they  hoped 
thofe  men  would  have  taken,  and  fo  have  come 

in  to   acl  with  them  aj^ain  ;  bat  iu  March  i665 

•  •  • 

they  pleaded  that  they  could  not  in  confcience  60 

it,  and  prevailed  with  the  aflTembly  to  make  a  law^ 

to  allow  thoie  who  pleaded,  that  they  could  not 

in  confcience  take  either  that  engagment,  nor  the 

pith  of  aliicgence  in  England,  to  make  their  fub^ 

miffioa- 

♦  Williams,  p.  19^,  2oo« 


£1677]      5^    N£W.EN  GLAND.       457 

ml/fion  to  the  gov-ernrnent,  either  before  the  court 
or  ujfore  two  magUlrates,  ih, their  owi\  words,  in* 
ftead  of  any  that  others  could  frame  for  them. 
And  no  fooner  was  this  point  gained,  than  at 
thi  ele.iiioa  in  May  cniUing,  they  got  in  a  Quiver 
deputy  governor",  and  ttirec  magillrates  j  two 
of  the  latter  being  Coddington  and  Harris.  Har- 
ris was  in  the  fame  oflice  in  1667,  when  on  July 
4,  he  procured  an  extraordinary  meeting  of  the 
afTin'')!/,  to  try  Mr.  Fenner,  (another  magitlrate^ 
for  a  rout  which  M arris  charged  him  with  making; 
in  i^rovidence  on  Jane  3.  But  the  afTembly  ac- 
quited  Fenner,  and  fined  Harris  50 1.  and  put  him 
out  of  oilice,  chooiing  Stephen  Arnold  in  his  ftead.. 
The  next  fill  he  was  Hned  1  os.  for  breach  of  peace, 
and  bound  to  his  q;ood  behaviour.  Yet  he  had 
influence  enough  in  May  166 3,  to  get  again  into 
the  m.igiftracy,  kud  in  the  fail  to  have  his  50 1. 
remitted.  He  was  likewife  in  the  fame  oiEce  im 
1669  ;  and  as  Connecticut  tlien  revived  their 
claim  to  the  Narraganiet  country,  he  eagerly 
turned  to  afUft  them,  hoping  doubtlefs,  to  tharc 
largely  therein,  if  they  prevailed* 

It  fecms  that  the  agents  who  procured  their 
charters,  agreed  that  Tome  perfons  living  near  Mr. 
Smith's  trading  houfe  in  Narraganfet,  fhouldhave 
liberty  to  choofe  which  government  they  would 
be  under  ;  therefore  from  thence,  and  from  the 
words  of  Connecticut  charter,  they  fct  out  afrclh 
to  grafp  all  that  country  to.  therafelves.  And  for 
that  end  would  come  over  from  Stonington  and 
knock  Wefterly  people  down,  and  carry  them  off 
to  goal,  and  perlilted  long  in  thofe  encroachments 
againft  the  remon^lrances  of  the  authority  of 
Rhodc-Iiland  colony  ;  one  of  which  they  fent  by 
Mr.  John  Crandal  to  Hartford,  in  May  1671. 
M  m  m  Ihe 


45«    H I S  T  O  R  Y  or  THE  6  A  P  T  I T  3 

The  aflembly  at  the  fame  time  made  choice  of  Mfi 
Clarke  as  their  agent,  to  go  again  to  England  upoti 
the  affair  ;  though  softer  repeated  applitations  to 
Connedicut  court,  fuch  a  profpecl  appeared  of 
having  the  matter  fettled  by  treaty,  that  thev  re 
vokcd   that  appointment   the  next   year.      But 
Harris,   finding   that  the  King's  words  in  their 
charter  had  moft  explJcitiy  fixed  Paucatuck  liver 
a5s  the  bounds  betwixt  the  two  colonies,  openly 
attacked  the  v?Jlidky  of  the  charter,  btcaufe  there* 
in  the  King  had  granted  full  religiaus  liberty^    net" 
^itbjlanding   the  penai  laivs    hi  tn<i^land  :    Upoii 
which  Harris  derlared,  *'  That  the  King  cannot 
dilpenctf  with  the  penal  laws  on  the  confciences  of  hii 
fi^hn'ds,  Papjfts  or  Froteftaiits,  at  hoftie  or  ahrcad,** 
Their  rulers  then  wc?e  Benedicl  Arnold,  governor 
John  Clarke,   deputy   governorj   John  CianfloDi^ 
John  CoggQiall,  James  Barker,  William  Carpentefj 
TiiotTVas  Harris,   Roger   Williams,  William  Baul-* 
flon,  John  Albi'O,  John  Green,   Benjamin  vStnith^ 
afCftants  ;  John  Sanf(M"d  recordci.)  James  Rogers^ 
general  Serjeant,  and  Jofeph  Tory,  attorney  gene- 
ral.    And  they  committed  Harris  to  priion  fo? 
denying   the  King's  authority    and  prerogative. 
iVnd  when  the  affembly  met  at  Newport,  April  t^ 
2672,  he  prefented  a  petition  to  them  by  the  hand 
of  a  Quaker,  btrt,  bcea^fe  not  dircded  in  thofe- 
words  which  his  majefty,  in  his  gracious  charter' 
hath  pleafed  to  give  the  title  unto  the  corpora- 
tion,** the  aiembly  voted  not  to  take  cognizance 
of  "it.  •    At  their  eleetion  the  next  month  they 
chof^  the  {i\9L  Quaker. governor  they  ever  had  in 
that  colony  ;  anS  Mr.  Williams  fays,  the  S'^aksrs 
prevailingy  Harris^  by  their  means  gets  hofe.  f   Th cle 
ixd»  I  have  carefully  collc<fled  from  their  Golony 

record*, 

•  Celosy  P.ccordj,  f  Williajis,^  p.  14,  2o6>  2tf7» 


[1677]       w   NEW-ENGLAND.      459 

rccor4s,  compared  with  Mr.  Williams's  account  ; 
to  which  they  rctura  no  better  anfwer  than  to 
fay,  "  It  is  hke  he  doth  belie  W.  H.  as  he  liath. 
done  ns  ;  a?id,  for  thy  ftory  and  anger  againft 
William  Harris,  he  is  o£  age  and  able  enough  to 
fpeak  for  hnnfelf."  * 

Fox  and  other  noted  teachers  of  theirs  were 
now  come  over,    and  gained  many  piolclytes ; 
upon  which  Mr.  Williams  went  to  a  general  meet- 
ing they  had  at  Newport,  and  began  to  prefent  to 
them    I'ome   confiderations  concerning  the    tru^ 
Cnrift  aui  the  taUe,  the  true  fpirit  and  the  faifc^ 
but  fays,  I  was  cut  off  in  the  midjl^  by  the  fudden 
prayer  of  one,  and  hnging  of  another,  &:c.  -whichi 
is  afterward  explained  thus,  viz.   "  I  was  ftopt  by 
the  fuddea  prayiiig  of  the  governor's  wife,  who 
alfo  told  mc  of  her  afking  hea^  hulband  at  home, 
(meaning  Chrifl  which  1  had  toucht  upon)  I  rofq 
and  faid,  if  a  man  had  fo  allcdgcd,  I  would  have 
knfwered  him  ;  but  I  would  not  countenance  the 
violation  of  God's  order  fo  much  in  making  a  re- 
ply to'  a  woman  in   pub!ic.     Hereupon  J.  Nicola 
itood  up  and   faid,  in  Qhrijl  Jffui  neither  male  nor 
female.    I  was  replying  to  him  and  to  J.  Burnyeat? 
fpeech  concerning  thcjr  fpirit,  but  was  flop:  by 
Burnyeats  fudden  failing  into  prayer,   and  dilmif. 
ing  the  alTembly.     I  refolved,  with   God's  help, 
to  be  patient  and  f/tv7,  and  fo  ceafed,  not  feeing  a 
willingnefs  jn  them  for  me  to  proceed  ;  which  ex- 
perience made  me  not  trouble  G,    Fox  and  the 
affemhly  at  Providence,  but  rather  to  make  21  fair 
and  folemn  oifer  of  a  difputc  aboutthefe  matters. *'| 
To  which  they    anfwer  and  fay,  "  So  here  thou 
may  eft  fce,it  was  thy  fpirit  that  was  cuth^  the  fpiri; 

•  Fox,  p.  71,  229. 
J  WilUipM,  p.  2,  13.' 


46o     HISTORY  or  the  BAPTISTS 

of  God,  that  leaud  them  to  pray  and  fing  in  ordiP  ; 
and  this  thou  calleil  canfufwn  \  and  thui  tho\i  judg- 
eft  of  things,  thou  kjwjueji  nct^  with  thy  doting 
fpirit.  For  the  ^^ue  Chrift  wc  know,  v/ho  is  oi^ 
ihepherd  ;  aiid  the  falfe  Ipirit  or  Chrift  Is  eafily 
favoured  in  tbbe^  wliich  was  cut  off  by  the  fpirit  of 
pravcr,  and  the  fpirit  of  finging,  from  ti-ie  true 
Ipirit  of  Chrift/'  * 

Thus  each  party  call  their  own  way  ordtf\  but 
the  ti'-der  and  decency  which  the  infpired  apoflle 
<5njoined  upon  the  church  of  Corinth,  concerned 
the  behaviour  of  thsir  ivomen^  as  diftinguifhed 
from  men  ;  their  women  who  had  huflands,  in  the 
plural  number,  who  had  each  a  diflinct  pait  to  a<St 
in  divine  worihip,  which  they  ouq;ht  to  know  and' 
attend  unto.  As  all  faints  are  one  in  Ch  ift,  there 
is  but  one  hufoand  and  one  bride;  an/i  viewing 
thmgs  in  this  diftincl  light,  tends  be'"/-  to  purity 
and  peace  ;  but  the  confounding  of  iii..i;il  women 
with  !n){llcal  hufbands,  has  often  p.oductd  the 
grapes  of  ijodom  and  clufters  of  Goii.-;  •  .to.  And 
among  the  many  in  fiances  of  t'jc  Cnia>:crb  amm- 
ing  a  power  to  govern  the  fcripturcs.  irf+ead  of 
being  governed  by  them,  take  the  foliowing. 
The  baptift  churches  in  Wales,  gathered  by  ouv 
Mr.  Miles  and  others;  publifhed  a  confiilion  of 
their  faith,  wherein  they  adopted  the  \\oids  of 
David  in  Pfalm.  ^r,ij-  To  wliich  Fox,  in  p.  214 
of  his  former  book'  faid,  *'  l)avid  doth  not  '!ay, . 
you  -were  conceivad  Infm)  but  I.  John  was  fan£tifi(  d 
from  the  womb,  and  the  fcriptures  fpcak  of  chli- 
dren  that  are  clean.  And  fo  y(ni  do  not  ipeak  aj 
elders  and  mefierigers  af  true  churches,  or  n\en 
dividing  the  word  aright,  but  you  are  one  againft 
another,  though  you  are  all  agaiufl  them  you  call 

QuaJkcrs 
•  Fox,  p.  17,        "    "7" 


[1677]       IM   NEW. ENGLAND.       461 

Quikers,  that  be  in  the  truth"  In  which  pafTa^c 
fays  Mr.  Williams,  he  dilcovcrs  ajlrong  prefimptim 
that  be  never  felt  ivhat  the  woful  ejlate  of  all  mankind 
by  nature  is.  *  To  which  they  reply  and  fay, 
*'  Paul  faith,  I  aui  crucified  with  Chrift  (mark  I 
am)  and  Chrifl  Uvcth  in  me  :  and  the  life  that  T 
live  in  the  flcfh,  is  by  the  faith  of  the  fon  of  God, 
Sec.  i»  not  the  faith  vi^ory  ?  and  thou  falleft  a  raiU 
ingy  and  fpjaking  of  our  conditioTu^  which  thou  art 
ignorant  of,  and  thy  own,  and  haft  abufcd  both 
the  fcriptures  and  us.'*  f      . 

In  July  1672,  Mr,  Williams  drew  up  fourteen 
propolitions,  and  inclofed  them  in  a  letter  to  de- 
puty governor  Cranfton,  whom  he  flilcs,  My  kizid 
friend^  for  him  to  deliver  them  to  Fox  or  his 
friends  ;  in  which  Mr.  Williams  propofed  a  fair 
difpute  upon  thofe  points  with  any  of  them,  fcrcn 
proportions  to  be  handled  at  Newport,  and  the 
other  at  Providence,  on  the  days  they  fhould  ap- 
point. By  fome  means  the  matter  was  delayed 
till  Fox  had  failed  for  England  ;  after  which  John 
Stubs,  John  Burnyeat  and  William  Edmundfon, 
engaged  in  the  atfair,  and  with  them  Williams 
]^eld  the  difpute  atNewport,  on  the  9th,  loth  and 
12th  of  Auguif,  and  at  Providence  the  I7tli. 
When  they  began  at  Newport,  he  publickly  de- 
clared his  motives  to  be  thefe.  *'  i.  The  vindicat- 
ing HIS  moft  holy  name,  which  my  foul  faw  trod- 
den in  the  dirt  by  f:itan  cloa-thed  in  Samuel's  man- 
tle, and  the  bright  garment  of  a-n  angel  of  light, 
which  once  he  was,  but  pride  deceived  him.  a.  1 
had  in  my  eye  the  vindicating  this  colony  for  re- 
ceiving fuch  perfons  whom  others  wa^ld  not  ; 
Ve  fuffer  for  their  fakes,  and  arc  accounted  their 

iibettors 

7*  Appendix,  p.  66>  67. 
t  Fox,  fccoiid  part,  p.  13^, 


\i6%      HISTORY  oy  the  BAPTISTS 

abettors,  that  therefore  together  with  the  improv. 
fnent  of  cur  libertkf   which  •  the  God  of  Heavefli^ 
and  our  Kmg's  majefly  h^ve  graciouiiy  given  us, 
;I  might  give  2  pul>iic  tefamoji^  againll  their  opinions 
in  fuch  a  way  and  cxercife,  1  judged  it  incumbent 
ppoi)  my /pint  and  conJcUncs  to  do  (in  forne  regards) 
•more  than  moll:  in  the  colony.     I  may  aJfo  truly 
•fay,  3.  That  I  had  it  in  my  cy?,  th;it  this  excrcif<J 
might  occafion  ioTnt  foul-confidcrat'ion  in  m^ny.**  * 
And  a«  they  dwelt  fo  much  upon  the  word  light, 
and  upoii  its  coming  into  the  world  with  all  man- 
kind, he  aOved  them  in  public, 

"  WijETHEfi.  it  comes  jnto  them  at  the  con- 
ception, or  at  the  birth)  or  when  elfc?  whether  it 
was  in  all  mankind  before  the  coming  and  death 
oi  Chrift,  or  to  thofc  ilnce  his  conriing,  or  both  ? 
whethjfr  it  be  in  the  underllandjng,  will,  memory, 
afFc^flions,  in  any  of  them  fcvcrally,  or  lodged  in 
all  of  them  jointly.  ?"  f  In  anfwer  to  which  ihty 
lay,  "  A»  to  his  unUarned  quejlious^  whether  the 
light  comcth  into  mankind  at  the  conception,  or 
Jit  the  birth,  or  when  clfe  ?  we  leave  him  to  what 
js  written  John  i,  9.  Chrifl  is  the  true  light,  that 
lightcth  every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world.  So 
it  is  evident,  all  are  lighted  that  come  into  the 
world  ;  and  the  briiever*  witneffcd  it  to  Ciine  in 
tbcit*  hearts ;  and  Abraham  faw  his  light,  or  day; 
and  in  it  David  faw  more  light,  which  was  before 
Chrifl  came  in  the  flefh,  John  faith,  in  the  ivord 
wliich  was  ?^  the  beginning  was  life^  and  the  I'lfr 
was  the  light  of  men.'*  j;  Mr.  Williams  fays, 
**  The  hinge  and  pinch  of  the  difierence  lies  in 
the  ,^pppoiition  which  the  Quakers  make  againft 

the 

*  Williaras,  p.  25,  ;6* 
'f  Williams,  f.  j^, 

%  Fox,  p.   32. 


1x67711      IN   NE W.ENGLAND. 

the  manhocd  of  Clirift  Jefivs  to  be  yet  ex  tart  t  *** 
"Who  queftions  but  Chiilt  Jefus,  as  the  ftin  in  the 
iieavens,  infiuenceth  all  parts  ot"  the  worM  ift 
fevcral  rcfpecf^s,  and  nothing  is  hid  from  his  heat  ? 
He  is  felt  in  che  brufed  reed  and  fmoaking  flax  5 
la  the  poor  in  fpirit,  in  the  hungry  and  thirfty 
ifter  righteoufnefs  j  fometimes  in  the  hop<t  of 
gloiy  to  Gome,  yea,  in  prefent  joy  unutterable  and 
glorious  :  fonietiiRcs  the  Lamb's  wife  is  vifibl^" 
ailecp  though  her  h-eart  wakes  ;  fometimes  fhe  is 
-Alarmed  by  his  knocking  and  is  flngiihly  unwill- 
ing to  open  to  him  ;•  fometimes  flie  riles  anel 
opens  but  he  is  gone,  and  Ihe  feelis  for  him  by 
day  and  night  and  cannot  findhim."  But  fays  he^ 
**  The  Papifts,  Arminians  and  Quakers  are  one* 
2.  As  W  the  power  of  nature  and  free  ivtU'm  heavenljr 
Snd  fpiritual  matters.  2.  As  to  the  loofing  of 
true  faving  grace.  3.  As  to  election  and  predefti* 
nation  in  time,  upon  obedienct,  and  rejsdion,  andl 
reprobation  upon  rebellion  and  difobedience.-''-^^,  Thtf 
Quakers  are  brethren  with  the  Socinians,  in  mak* 
ing  Chrrft  a.  iype  indfgare,  a  paftrcn  and  examplt 
how  chriftians ought  to  walk;  not  that  the  Z'/oi?^ 
which  he  fhed  u'pon  the  crofs  at  Jerufalem,  was  $ 
fuiScient  price  and  fatisfa6lion  unto  God  for  thtf 
fins  of  the  whole  world."  *  To  whkh  they  fay, 
**  This  is  like  tlie  reft  of  thy  falfe  charges  and 
ComparifoTis  j  what  doft  thou  talk  of  cledUon  and 
predcftmation,  &c.  when  thou  calleft  the  light  o£~ 
Chrift  an  idol  ?  for  thcfe  are  myfitics  to  theCy  whey 
art  not  come  ta  take  heed  unto  the  light  that 
fi>ineth  in  a  dark  place."  f  See  2  Gor.-  10,  1. 

Hrs  la'ft  propofition  Was,  that  their  fpirit  tended^ 
^0  arbitrary   government  and  firery  persecution  1^ 

upoa 

*  William?,  p.  T37  ;  AppcnJk,.  p.  j6r 
tFoi,  p.  154. 


^^4     MISTOJIY  t)r  THE  BAPTISTS 

upon  which  he  faid,  "  By  an  drhitrdry  government 
I  do  not  intend  a  ruling  by  force,  for  there  could 
be  no  government  in  the  world  without  ihtfujerd^ 
but  arbitrary^,  1  faid  came  from  arbitrium,  which 
fignifies  -unfl  or  pUafure  :  and  fo  my  argnmcnt  is, 
that   perfons  immediately  fpeaking  from  God,  it 
is  impertinent  and   profane  to  clog  and  cumber 
them  with  laws,  for  the  voice  of  God,  the  law  of. 
laws,  proceeds  out  of  their  mouth,  than  which 
there  could  be   none  more  juft,  wife  or  holy — I 
told  them  I  muft  crave  their  patience  while  I  muft 
profcfs  my  fears,   left  the  fpirit  by  which  they 
were  guided,  might  run  them  upon  their  own  and 
others    temporal    dcflrudion.      I    told    them  I 
thought   they  had  no    fuch  thing  in  their  eye  at 
prefcnt ;  but  if  power   of  the  fword  came  into 
their  hands,  it  was  cafy  to  imagine, that  whom  the 
fpirit^infaliable)  decreed  to  death,  pefant  or  piince 
if  it  were   pofTiblc,  he  muft  be  executed."  *     To 
this  they  fay,  ''  Where  there  is  no  force  there  is  no 
fear  oijlavery,  and  fuch  an  arbitrary  government 
no  body  was   ever  afraid  of. — But  Roger,    doft 
thou  not  accufc  the  people  called.  Qriakcrs  of  hold* 
ing,  that  they  are  a<rtcd  by  the  fpirit  of  God,  an4 
not  by  their  own  fpirits  .^  if  fo  it  is  the  arbitrium, 
or  will   and  pleafure  of  their  God,  and  not  their 
own  wills  and  fpirits  that  they  are  acted  by,  and 
what  harm  ii  this  to  juft  government  ?  or  how  doth 
this  fet  up  mens  will  and  power  ?  O  thy  blindneli! 
thy  darknefs  1  and  thy  confufion  '.''  f 

He  then  refered  them  to  the  paflage  before  re- 
cited about  the  magift rates yi/^/V^;«^  all  into  his 
light  )  and  clofed  that  head  with  oblcrving,  that 
Chrift  fays,  out  of  the  abundance  of  the  heart  the 
mouth  fpeaieth,  and  aflsj  if  any  profeftbrs  of  the 

chriftiaa 
•  WiiliaiBs,  p.  204,         t-Fox.  p.  226, 


[1677]    IN   NEW.ENGLAND.       4^^ 

ehriiliafi  name  except  Pipirts,  were  ever  fo  fharp 
and  cuttinjT;  with  tiielr  tort^.jilCy  as  they,  even  to 
kiiowing  3.nd  canfcienci  oas  perfons  ?  From 
whence  he  queftions,  wadt  mignt  be  expecled  if 
whips,  Iwords  and  halttrs  Were  permitted  to  fall 
into  their  hands  ?  To  svhich  they  lay,  "  The 
tongues  of  God*s  people  have  ii  all  ages  been  as 
a  yfrt-  and  ^./ixtord  to  the  wi.ked. — It  m.iy  be  aa 
rationally  qucftioncd  of  the  p:!oplc  of  God  in  thi* 
ag^,  as  in  former  ages  ;  and  God  will  reckon  with 
thee,  thou  ungodly,  unjuft  man,  that  infmuatelt 
thefe  wicked  things  agalnft  a  fufFcring,  as  well  as 
har  -ntefs  people  !  This  i'pirit  thou  art  lead  by  ia 
writing  againil:  us,  would  burn  us,,  as  it  Icadl 
thy  forefathers  to  burn  the  martyers  in  Smithfeld  ; 
for  yc  are  all  of.  G  \in*s  race,  and  are  found  in  his 
fteps,  and  (hall  have  Cain's  reward,  if  you  repent 
not.*'  *  This  was  their  way  q(  quenching  afire-* 
hrand. — 

The  Quakers  prevailed  fo  far,  that  in  1675,  Mr* 
Coddingtpn  was  gov^frnor,  and  Mr.  John  Eafton 
deputy  governor  ;  when  finding  that  thtir  fpirifuaC 
fower  would  not  fecurc  them  againil  the  Indi- 
-tns,  they  gave  out  ?nilitary  commJ^ons  wider  their 
bands  and  feals  to-  arm  both  i^^'Jth  and  garrifom: 
againft  thcm.f  Harris  was  again  chofen  aa  afHft* 
ant  in  the  years73, 74  and-  76,  in  the  la  it.  of  which 
Mr.  S.  Hubbard  did  in  "a  letter  to  Bollon,  "  The 
Quakers  are  (till  upermoi^  in  government  among 
ti^,  I  nvcan  in  outward  rule,  though  we  have  put 
out  the  chief,  Mr.-  John.  EaOon,  from  being  de- 
puty, and  now  major  John  Cranfton  is  deputy 
governor."  Mr.  Williams  book  came  out  fooa 
after,  and  at  their  next  elecllon,  May  2,  1677,  the 
fakers  were  left  out  of  oiEce ;  and  on  June  28, 
N    n  n  Mr. 

*  Fes,  p,  2-3?.        t  Callcnder.  p,  8e— Colony  Rec»r^».; .     . 


%^      HI5T0RT  or  the  BAPTISTS 

Jlr.  Coddington  wrote  the  forccitcd  letter  to  hit 
friend  Fox  ;  which  facis  may  enable  lis  to  account 
for  the  fpirit  of  it.  Mr.  Williams  was  again  cho- 
fen  a  magidrate,  but  excufed  himfelf  trom  that 
fervice  ;  yet  he  wrote  thus  to  Providence,  viz, 
*^  I  pray  the  town  that  the  place  of  meeting  be 
certain,  and  fome  courfc  fettled  for  payment,  that 
the  clerk  and  fcijeant  be  fatisficd  according  to 
moderation,  that  the  town  bufincfs  may  go  on 
cheerfully,  that  the  bufincfs  of  the  rate  (paid  by 
{o  many  already)  be  finiihed^  that  the  old  cuftom 
of  order  be  kept  in  our  meetings,  and  thole  un- 
ruly be  reprovedjOr  upon  obftanacy,  cafl  out  from 
fober  and  freemens  company,  that  our  ancient  ufc 
of  aibltration  be  brought  into  efleem  again,  that 
(it  being  conftantly  reported  that  Conncclicufeia 
upon  the  gaining  his  majefly's  confent  to  enjlave 
tis  to  their  patijh  ivarjhip)  we  confider  wlut  wc 
ought  to  do  *' 

A  Special  court  of  commillioners  met  at  Pi-o« 
vidence,  October  3,  1677,  procured  by  Harris  ; 
who  by  a  jury  gave  his  party  five  verdicts  for 
land,  the  firft  of  which  was^gainft  Gregory  Dex- 
ter. Arthur  Fcnncr,  ^nd  the  town  of  Providence, 
wherein,  they  gave,  "  two  pounds  in  money  da- 
mage and  coll  of  court ;  and  alfo  that  the  faid 
defendants  run  the  line  equally  between  Paw- 
tuxet  river  and  Wenafquatuckct  river,  till  they 
meet  with  a  thwart  line  from  the  head  of  Wenaf- 
quatuckct river,  direftly  runing  to  PawtuxcC 
river.*'  The  tvv'o  next  verdicts  gave  that  party 
30 1,  damages  in  each,  with  lands  further  louth- 
ward  ;  of  which  the  town  of  Warwick,  by  the 
hands  of  Mr.  Holden  and  Mr.  Greene,  gave  art 
account  two  years  after  to  the  King,  wherein 
they  mention  the  fomier  ill  treatment  they  had, 
p  met: 


[jg;;]      '^  N  E  W-K  N  G  L  A  N  D.-    4^f 

met  with  at  BoRon,  and  reprefcnt,  that  the  lat<J 
wir  wa.  ^Tholly  caufed  by  the  arbitrary  condu(5t 
of  the  neighbouring  colonies,  who  after  the  INar* 
ra^anfettlffht  in  December,  1675,  they  iay,     uith- 
di?w  their  forces  froin  us,  iciving   our  unguard- 
ed  towns  to  the  dell.oycr,  whereby  ihe  town  ot 
Warwick  was   wholly   burnt,    great  part  of  our  ^. 
.roods  and  cattle  loll  and  coniumed,  but  the  hyeS^- 
of  moft  of  us  reiervcd  as  a  prey,  fupported  with 
hope  that  yet  in  time  of  peace,  wc  nngnt  be  en- 
abled  to  re-build    and  provide  for  our  diftreficd 
families  and  fucccedrng  generations— But  ^-  iliiam 
Warris  of   Pautuxct,    came  over   in    i674,^ana 
Chimed  land  in  Narraganfet  by  Indian  purchaie, 
and  the  King  appointed  the  cafe  to  be  Jieard  by 
commiffioners,  chofcn  out  of  the  levcral  colonies 
of  New-Englaiid.     ^^  e  attended  time  and  place  ' 
according  to  fummons,  but  the  major  part  ot  the 
commifiloners,   elected  out   of  our  Fofcfled  and 
mortal  enemies,  out-voted  thofe  of  Rhode-Uland, 
erantino-  and  av^-arding  to  him  the  lands  bought 
and  improved  by  your  petitioners,  alfo  giving  hira 
great  damages,   notwithftanding  the  teaimony  ot 
one  Mr.  Williams,    the  firft  Indian  purchaicr  of 
thofc  lands,  and  other  material  witfieiles  in  our 
behalf,  whereby   above    5000   acres   of  1^"^  ^"^ 
mcdows,  belonging  to  the  poor  town  ot  Warwick, 
and  parts  adjacent  are  taken  away,  and  we  prohi- 
bited torebui'd,  or  attempt  any  thn.g  for  tiie  {i;p- 
port  of  our  dependances,*'  and  fo  went  on  to  pray 

for  relief,  p.  299.  .       ,    j 

Connecticut  in  the  mean  t;me  had  continu- 
ed their  encroachments  upon  the  weft  part  ot  that 
colony,  till  a  letter  was  obtained  from  ^he  l^^^S 
dated  July  9,  1679,  confirming  Rho.ic-illand 
charter  ;  upon  which  the  alilmbiy  wpotc  to  waru 
'     *  theui 


'46S      HISTORT  or  the  BAPTISTS 

tbem  off  their  lands,  and  to  charge  their  own  peo* 
pie  not  to  obey  them..  But  at  the  lame  time 
Harris  had  procured  an  order  from  the  King  to  the 
authority  ot  the  colony,  to  levy  the  atorelaici  exe- 
cutions. In  confequence  whereof  1  have  iecrv  ar- 
I'ants  illucd  to  John  Smith  of  Newport,  appoint- 
ing him  magikrace  to  levy  three  ot  them,  hgned 
]Sov.  ^4,  1079,  by  John  Cramion,  governor,  Ca- 
leb Carr,  Jolcph  Clarke,  Arttiur  Tenner  and  Jonn 
Sinford,  aiiiltants.  liut  thi&  not  iatL^iying  Harris, 
]ie  foou  let  oh  again  tor  England  with  new  com- 
plaints. Ml-,  baamcl  iiubbard  wrote  to  his  chil- 
dren at  \Veii>>r.y  cue  7tii  ot  February  iollowing, 
jntormin^  them  oi:  a  lumor  he  heard  ot  turning 
their  governor  out  or  his  place.,  and  of  puling  2. 
(Quaker  into  it>  and  of  feting  Narraganlct,  which 
they  calicJ  the  King's  piovuicc  eft  by  iticif  y  and, 
3~aid  he,  "•  William  Harris  is  gone  for  Old-England, 
difpicafed  at  our  courts  act,  aud  \^■iii  not  accept, 
though  offered  it  is  laid,  to  be  Connecticut  agent's 
attorney.  God  can  have  Ahithophcl's  counfel  to 
fall,  and  to  hang  hiiufelf.'*  Poor  man  !  he  was 
taken  and  carried  into  TiirUilh  tlavcry,  from 
^vhence  he  never  returned.  Thus  ended  the  con- 
trovcrfy  with  him,  whofc  firil  title  to  any  of  thofe 
3ands  was  a  free  gift  from  Mr,  Williams. 

Two  conhderations  have  moved  mc  to  be  much 
larger  and*  more  particular  upon  thefe  unhappy 
affairs,  than  j  had  any  thoughts  of  at  firil.  One 
is,  that  hurrangues  have  often  been  made  from 
pulpits,  and  in  courts  of  juftice,  from  that  time 
to  ours,  upon  the  great  difordcrs  of  llhode-lfland 
colony,  to  prove  that  an  eftablilhed  rehgion  by 
human  laws  is  exceeding  ncccffary  in  every  go- 
vernment. I  thought  it  duty,  therefore  to  give 
the  public  a  fair  and  lull   ftate  of  thofe  faifs,  to 

enable 


[16773      IN  NEW. ENGLAND.        4^9 

enable  them  to  judge  rightcoufly  concerning  fuch 
addrdles.  The  other  is,  that  I  might  plainly  de- 
tect and  cxpofe  the  pernicious  nature,  of  imagin* 
ing  that  dominion  is  tounded  in  grace,  or  that  re- 
ligon  endows  the  fubjecls  of  it  with  a.  right  to  ad 
as  lawgivers  and  judges  over  others.  In  the  af- 
I'cmbly  that  banilhed  Mrs.  Hutchinfon,  in  i  C^y^ 
Mr.  Coddington  faid,  *'  I  do  not  fee  any  clear 
witnefs  againft  her  ;  and  you-  know  it  is  a  rule  of 
the  court,  that  no  man  may  be  a  judge  and  accu- 
fer  too."*  But  where  was  that  rule  v/hcn  he,  in 
his  letter  to  Fox,  aded  the  part  of  an  accufer,  wit- 
Bcfs  and  judge  againft  Mr.  Williams,  even  as  to 
the  inward  ft  ate  of  his  foul  !  with  all  their  talk 
about  light,  Mr.  Cotton  formerly  (p.  159)  tnd  the 
Quakers  now,  accufed  Mr.  Williams  of  counter- 
acting his  own  principles  about  liberty  of  confci- 
ence,  only  for  examining  and  bringing  to  light  the 
nature  of  their  principles  and  behaviour  j  and  the 
word  of  truth  tells  us  what  light  that  is,  Mat.  6. 
23.  John  3.  19,  21.  The  Quakers  have  had  2 
fame  among  many  for  honedy  and  liberty,  and 
far  be  it  from  me  to  detracl  in  the  Icaft  from  what 
has  truly  been  among  them  of  that  nature  ;  and 
I  readily  grant  that  not  only  in  thofe  refpecfs,  but 
alfo  in  their  moderation  in  drefs,  and  Iblemnity 
in  worfliip,  (though  not  fmgularity)  and  hofpi- 
taiity  to  ftrangers  they  have  merited  h^gh  com- 
mendation, and  more  fo  for  their  zeal  againfl  the 
flavc-trade.  Yet  what  a  bo  adage  is  it  to  be  un- 
der fuch  a  power  as  their  firft  leaders  afllimcd  ? 
"VVhai:  pope  ever  fpake  more  haughtily  than  to  fay, 
*'  He  lives  in  a  peaceable  goveniment,  but  is  in  2. 
reftlefs  fpirit,  grudgcth  at  the  liberty  of  othrs, 
and  cannot  be  content  with  his  own/*   only   be 

caufc 
•MiT.  bift.vol.  2,  p.  5 1 5, 


470      HIST  ORY  oy  the  B APTISTjS    • 

€\ufc  hefought  in  a  peacejiblc  way  to  difchargchis 
conj^ience^  by  bearing  a  plain  tcjlhmm  agairiil  what 
■i:;Lc::red  to  him  to  be   very. corrupt  and  dangc- 
And  what  fentence   was  ever  more  unjuft 
t..^::;  tnat  which  is  delivered  in  their  martyrbook  ? 
Crove  teiis  us  the  {nit  p.'v.rl  ot  it  was  publifhed  in 
10615  the  other  in  1667,  by  that  zealous  fervant  of 
ike  .  ordy  George  BijJ:op.     He  lived  in    the   city  of" 
;  nil 01;  and  heiiuided.his  work,    "  New-Engiand 
judged,  not  by  man's,  but  the  i'pirit  of  the  Lord." 
Ancl  after  his  account  of  the  whipping  of  Hum- 
phrey Norton  and  Deborah  Wiliun,   among   the 
reft,  he  reads  oH-  his   fentence  thus — "  Whether 
they  will  hear  or  forbear,  they  (hall  know  that  his 
fropbeis 'h3.vc  been  amougll  them. — So,  fee  where 
you  are,  and  in  what  cafe,  ye  blood  thirfty  ene- 
mies of  God  ;  ye  men  of  Bofton,  of  Plymouth,  pa- 
tent, and  New-Kaven  ,  ye  rulers  of  bodom,  and 
inhabitants  orGomorrah,  who  arc  hardned  agziinft 
the  hour  of  your   vifitation  ;  whofe  day  is  over  ; 
who  delight  in  blood,  in  the  blood  of  the  faints  of 
the  Moft  High  God,  to  whom  blood  will  be  given, 
for  ye  are  worthy  ;  the  Lord  will   come  upon  yc, 
you  that  put  his  day  afar  off,  and  fay,  he   delays 
his  coming  ;  1  iay,  He  will  come   upen  you,  in  a  day 
that  ye  think  net   of  end  in  an  hatir  cfwhich  ye   arc 
7iot  aivare  ;  and  iinll  cut  you  afunder,  and  appoint  yeu 
your  portion  with  hypocrites  anajimiers  ;  and  ye  Jhall 
he  ciijl  into  the  lake  that  burneth  ivith  fre  and  brim- 
Jlone,  thereto  be  tor711c11tedtx.it  h  the  devil  and  his  an- 
gels, which  is  the  fecond  death. '^     And  in  1703,  in 
the  margin  againft  this  fentence,  Grove  faid,  T^his 
11- as  fulfilled  in  the  Indian  ii:ars,  iv  herein  many  cf  them 
were  cut  to  pieces.  * 
'i\ow,  if  in  Fox's  view  Mr.  Williams  difcovered 

a 

f  iiiOaop,  p.  206,  207, 


fi^;?]       iw   NEW-E.N-GL-AND.      4^1 

a  Jeviltjh/pinfy  in  telling  the  miniflers  he  wrote 
to.  that  perhaps  fbmc  ot  them  might  live  to  fee  the 
Pope  and  Mahomet  caft  into  that  lal-vC,  what  2 
/pint  did  this  great  writer  of  theirs  difcovcr  ?  and 
what  God  did  he  worihip,  if  this  fentcnce  came 
immediately  from  him  !  The  evident  reafon  of  their 
favourable  opinioiv  of  Mr.  Cotton  above  his  col- 
iegae,  was  his  countenancing  the  power^  by  which 
Mrs.  Hutchinfon  declared  that  ilie  fhould  be  deli* 
versd,  and  the  court  ruined  with  their  pofterity." 
p.  103.  A  gentleman  of  that  aflembly  faid  Ok; 
told  him  in  London,  that  {he  had  never  any  great 
thing  done  about  her,  but  it  wz.?,.. revealed  to  her  be* 
fare  hand :  to  which  fhe,  before  the  court,  replied, 
<*  1  fay  the  fame  thing  again."*  And  how  was 
that  revelation  fulfilled?  why  Bi.Qiop  fays,  "fomc 
of  your  paten cs  endeavoured  to  get  Rhode-Iiland 
under  fomc  of  your  governments,  which  occafion- 
cd  fomc  to  remove  under  the  Dutch,  where  Anne 
Hutchinfon,  and  her  Ton  Francies,  and  W.Collin's 
her  fou  in-law,  with  others,  were  murdered  by  the 
Indians  ;  th«  guilt  and  weight  of  whofe  blood  lies 
upon  you,  as  done  by  you  ;  who  were  people  of  an 
hone/i  life,  and  good  behaviour,  only  differing  from 
yo'u."f  Sec  p.  118.  And  the  firft  legiflator  and 
captain  that  was  flain  in  Philip's  war  was  her  fon 
Edward,  who,  as  Bifhop  tell's  us,  entered  his  pro- 
ted  atBofton,  in  1658,  againft  their  making  a  law 
to  baniih  Quakers  on  pain  of  death.  Neither  can  I 
learn  that  any  man  wbo  had  ever  been  an  alllftant 
in  either  colony  was  then  ilain  by  the  Indians, 
except  Mr.  John  Wickes,  of  Warwick  who  had 
been  a  fuffercr  with  Gorton  ;  he  was  then  killed 
in  a  very  advanced  age.  |     Put  all  thcfe  thiijtgs 

together 

*  M:in'.  hlft.  vol.   2.  p.  JJO,      t   Jifhop.p.   ,22  5,22#4 

X.  Citllaider,  p.  93, 


472     HISTOR?  oy  the  BAPTISTS 

together  and  fhall  we  not   hy  with  Solomon, 
Hhat  IV huh  is  crooked  canmt   be  made/lraight  f 

Mr.  Williams's  zeal  appeared   to  be  directed, 
not  againft  the  perfon  of  any  man,  but  only  againfl 
their  errors.     In  the  preface  to   his  reply  to  Mr. 
Cotton  he  fays,  "  Since  it  pltafed    God  to  lay  a 
command  upon  rr.y  confciencc,  to  come  in  as  his 
poor  witnefs  in  this  great  caufe,  1  rejoice  that  it 
plcafed  him  to  appoint  fo   able  and  excellent  an 
inftrument  to  bolt  out  the  truth  to  the  bran  ; 
though  I  can  humbly  fay  in  God's  holy  prefcnce, 
it  is  my  conftant  hcavineft  and  foul's  grief  to  dif- 
fer from  any  fearing  God  ;  much  more  from  Mr. 
Cotton,  whom  I  have  ever  defired,  and  flill  dti^rt 
highly  to   efteem,   and   dearly  to  refpecl,  for  fo 
great  a  portion  of  mercy  and  grace  vouchfafcd  unto 
him,  and  fo  many  truths  of  Chrift  maintained  by 
him.     Therefore   (notwithftanding  fome   of  no 
common  judgment  and  re.fpeft  to  him,  have  faid, 
he  wrote  his  wafhings  of  the  bloody  tenet  in  blood 
againft  Chrifl,  and  gall  againfi  me,  yet)  if  upon  fo 
ilippery  and  narrow  a  paitagc,  1  have  flipt  into  any 
term  of  expreflion  vmbefceming  his  perlon,  or  the 
caufe  of  the  Moll  High  in  hand,  I  humbly  crave 
pardon  of  God,    and  Mr.   Cotton   alfo.'*      And 
though   he  could   not  fay  the  like   of  the  chief 
teachers  among  the  Quakers,  yet  he  faid,  *'  Many 
truly   humble   fouls  may   be   captivated    among 
them. — And  many  of  the  Quakers   I  love  and 
honor.'*     And  he  faid,  "H*  that  ihall  ponder  the 
fathers  polligamy,  the  beft  kings  of  Judah  fuffcr- 
ing  the  high  places,  David's  flaying  Uriah,  Afia's 
imprifoning   the  prophet,    Peter's  rafh  ufing  the 
fword,  the  difciples  calling  for  fire  from  Heaven, 
fliall  fee  caufe  to  reprove  the  Quakers  for  their 
rafix  damning  of  others  from  whom  they  have 

lyfeied." 


li6J7l       ^'^  NEW-ENGLAnD.      473 

iiT.fFercd."*  Bat  when  they  came  to  anfwcr  him; 
they  were  fo  far  from  regarding  this  adinonition-> 
that  where  he  fpakc  of  the  matter  of  tlie  chrifiian 
churches,  viz.  true  converts  (fee  p.  144)  and  laid  ia 
the  mardn,  "  this  was,  and  1  hope  is,  the  princi- 
ple of  the  New-EngH(h  churches  ;'*  they  fpent 
three  pages  full  of  capitals  about  their  fuftcriugs, 
to  prove  that  it  could  not  be  fo,  and  at  iilr  faid^ 
*'  So  it  is  clear,  you  that  have  dcllroycd  mens 
lives,  arc  not  of  God,  but  the  devil."  f  This  was 
the  temper  of  their  teachers  ;  but  of  others  the 
two  Eafton's  father  and  fon,  Walter  Clarke,  and 
Henry  Bull,  v/ere  all  worthy  governors  of  that 
denomination,  and  I  find  Mr.  S.  Hubbard  cxprefT- 
ing  a  conlidcrable  cfteeni  alfo  for  Mr.  Cbddingtoa 
after  his  death,  in  a  letter  to  a  friend.  K either 
have  I.  fdund  one  reflection  upon  his  per((->nin  all 
Mr.  Williams's  writings,  unlefs  a  plain  recital  of 
facts  may  be  fo  called. 

A  NEW  feci  came  oiit  from  ainong  the  Baptlfts 
about  this  time,  who  have  caufed  not  a  little  ti-ou- 
ble  to  them.felves  and  others,  of  whom  I  have  coK 
lecled  the  following  brief  account,  chiefly  front 
the  letters  prefervcd  by  Mr.  Samuel  Hubbard^  In 
the  clqfe  of  the  year  1674,  the  family  of  Mr» 
James  Rogeri  of  New- London,  called  Mr.Crandal 
over  from  Weflerly,  "Who  preached  among  them, 
ind  baptized  his  fons  John  and  lames,  and  an  In- 
dian named  J<apheth»  This  alarmed  the  other  de- 
nomination and  Mr.  Bradftrcet,  mmiftcr  at  New-^ 
London,  faid  he  hoped  the  next  court  would  take 
a  courfe  with  them.  They  fcnt  to  Newport,  and 
elder  Hifcox,  Mr.  Hubbard  and  his  fon  Clarke 
^ere  fent  to  vilit  them  in  March  167^,  whea 
O  o  o  Jonathan 

•  Williams,  p.  5,  25,  7.1,  178. 
,        t  Fox,  p.  63,  66, 


4^4     HISTOUT  0?  the  BAPttSTlS 

Jonathan  Rogers  was  alfo  baptized,  and  all  four  of 
them  were  received  as  members  of  their  church, 
by  prayer  and  laying  on  of  hands.  Hcrcupoi* 
JohnRogers's father-in-law,  took  his  wife  and  chil- 
dren from  him  ;  and,  upon  her  complaints  againll 
him,  he  was  carried  before  their  deputy  governor, 
and  committed  to  Hartford  goal,  from  whence  he 
wrote  to  Mr.IIubbard  April  6,  1675.  How  long 
he  continued  there  I  do  not  find,  only  he  vifitcd 
the  church  at  Newport  the  next  September,  la 
September  18,  1676,  thofe  four  members  went 
U'ith  a  boat,  and  brought  elder  Hifcox  and  Mr. 
Hubbard  to  New- London  again,  when  old  Mr. 
Rogers,  his  wife  and  daughter  were  all  baptized 
and  received  into  that  church  ;  whereupon  they 
were  called  before  the  magiftratc,  but  were  fooii 
rclcafed  ;  though  from  that  time  they  began  to 
imprifon  thcRGger5>*s  tor  working  on  the  firlt  day 
of  the  week.  And  when  Mr.  Hifcox  and  Mr. 
Hubbard  viiited  them  again,  and  held  worfhip 
with  them  two  miles  out  of  town  on  their  fabbath 
Nov.  23,  1677,  and  Jofcph  Rogers's  wife  had 
iiejit  morning  given  them  a  fatisfying  account  of 
her  experiences,  John  rnuft  needs  have  them  go 
up  to  town  to  baptize  her  there.  Mf.  Hubbard 
oppofed  it,  bat  John  carried  the  day  ;  and  while 
Mr.  Hifcox  was  preaching  at  town  the  conftable 
came  and  took  him,  and  they  all  went  before  the 
magiftrate  ;  where  alfo  was  the  minilier,  Mf. 
Bradftrect,  who  had  much  to  fay,  about  the  good 
way  that  their  fathers  hadfet  up.  Upon  which 
Mr.  Hubbard,  obtaining  leave  to  fpeak,  laid,  •*  Yon 
are  a  young  man,  but  1  am  an  old  planter  of  about 
forty  years,  a  beginner  of  Connecticut,  and  have 
been  perfecutcd  for  my  confciencc  from  this  co- 
lony, and  I  can  afiui"?  ycu,  that  the  old  beginners 

Wire 


[167S]    IN   NEW^ENGLAND.       475 

were  not  for  perfecutlon,  but  we  had  liberty  at 
firft/*  After  farther  difcourie  the  magillratc  laid. 
Could  you  not  do  it.  elfe  ivhere  f  "  A  good  anfwer/' 
fays  Mr.  Hubbard  ;  and  fo  they  were  releafcd  and 
went  to  Samuel  Rogers's  houfe,  where  his  brother 
John  put  himfclf  forward,  prayed,  and  then  wort 
out  to  the  water  and  baptized  his  filler  ;  upon 
which  Mr.  Hifcox  was  fcized  again,  as  fuppofing 
he  had  done  it,  but  John  came  before  the  m:iglf- 
traie,  and  was  forward  to  make  known  his  act 
therein  ;  fo  the  others  were  releafed  and  returned 
home.  V 

Jonathan  Rogers,' nad  married  Naomi  Bur- 
dick,  grand-daughter,  to  Mr.  Hubbard,  and  on 
Mirch  a,  1678,  elder  Hifcox  baptized  her  at  Wef- 
terly,  together  M'ith  James  Babcock,  George 
I/imphere,  and  two  others  ;  and  on  the  5th  of  May 
fouowing  Jofeph  Clarke  wrote  from  thence  to  Jiis 
father  Hubbard,  that  John  and  James  Rogers  with 
their  father  were  in  prifon  j  having  previoufly  ex- 
communicated Jonathan,  chiefly  bcscaufe  he  did 
not  retain  their  judgment,  of  the  unlawfulnefs  of 
ufing  medicines, nor  accufe  himfelf  before  authori- 
ty, for  working  on  the  firft  day  of  the  week.'.' 
Hereupon  the  church  at  Newport,  fent  meflbn- 
gers  to  New-London  about  this  matter,  who  rCr 
ported  on  their  return  that,  "  a  practice  was  dart- 
ed up,  (out  of  confcic-nce)  that  becaufe  the  wodd^ 
yea,  moil  profefibrs,  pray  in  their  families  morn- 
jngs  and  nights,  and  before  meats  and  after,  in  a 
cullomary  way,  therefore  to  forbear  prayer  in  their 
families  or  at  meats  publickly,  except  fome  are 
lead  forth  upon  fome  fpecialoccafion  ;  faying,  they 
find  no  comsnand  in  the  word  of  God  for  it." 
About  this  time,  elder  Hifcox's  church  received 
letters  from  Dr,  Chtunberlain,  whereof  one  wa^ 

directed 


476      HISTORY  or  thi  BAPTISTS 

fdlrected  to  their  church,  he  being  of  the  fame 
iaith  and  order  with  them,  the  othei'  was  directed 
as  follow?. 

'*  Peter  Chamberlain,  fcnior,  Doclcr  of 
both  univerlities,  and  firil  and  eldeil  phyfician  in 
ordinary  to  his  m^ijeily's  perfon,  according  to  the 
world,  but  according  to  grace,  a  fervant  of  the 
word  of  God  ;  to  the  excellent  and  noble  gover- 
nor of  New-England  ;  grace,  n^ercy,  peace  and 
truth,  from  God  our  father,  and  from  our  Lord 
Je^Qs  Chriti:  ;  praying  for  you,  that  you"  may 
abound  in  heavenly  graces  and  temporal  comforts. 
I  Iiavc  always  had  a  Jovf^  to  the  intended  purity^ 
and  unlpolted  doctrine  of  New-England  ;  lor  Mr. 
Cocton  was  of  the  fame  college  and  uniyerfity,  of 
Emanuel  in  Cambridge,  as  I  was,  and  io  was 
Mr.  Ilc'Oker  and  others  with  whom  we  were  d)\ 
contemporary  ;  and  1  never  knew  them,  but  of  a 
Jioly  life  ai.J  converfation.  I  alfo  knew  Colonel 
Humfrey,  lir  Richard  Saltonftall  and  Mr.Petcri, 
who  wzt'Q  of  note  among  you,  and  iir  Henry- 
Vane,  who  ;ill  had  fome  ihare  in  the  foundation, 
pf  your  government.  But  certainly  the  firft  in- 
tentions were  never  to  debar  the  truths  of  fcrip- 
ture,  and  liberty  of  confcience  guided  thereby ; 
but  to  fupprefb  fin  and  idolatry,  and  prevent  all 
the  adulterieg  of  Rome,  to  whom  *11  things  are 
lavvful,  efpecially  lies  ^  hipocrify,  to  promote 
their  maft  dam.nable  doctrines,  covetcous  fuper- 
ftitions,  and  blafphemous  fupremacy.  It  is  great 
wifdom  to  fupprcfs  fin,  but  not  opprefs  the  hber^ 
ty  of  a  good  confcience  ;  and  whilft  men  grant 
liberty  cf  confcience  not  to  admit  liberty  of  fi^^i. 
All  magiftrates  have  not  attained  to  this  wifdom, 
fife  England  had  been  long  fince  freed  from  po- 
tJely  and  perjury.  Whatfocver  is  againft  the  tesi 
'     '  cpnimandmec>.ti. 


[16783      IN  NEW. ENGLAND,        477 

CQipmandments  is  fin.    Rom.  3,  20.   i.  John  3,  4, 

and  he  that  fmneth  in  one  point  is  guilty  of  all, 

becaul'e  he  that  fpali^e  one  word  of  them  fpake  all, 

and  he  added  no  more.  Jam.  2,  10,  i  i.Exo.  20,  i, 

While  Mofes  and  Solomon,  caution  men,  fomuch 

againft  adding  to,  or  taking  fromDeiit.  4,  2.  Prov, 

30,5,6,  andfodoth  the  beloved  apoftlc.  Rev. 22,  18, 

1 9  .what  (h  ill  we  fay  of  thofe  that  take  away  of  thofe 

ten  wurds,  or  thofe  that  make  them  void,  and  teach 

men  fo  ?  Nay,  they  dare  give  the  lie  to  Jehovah, 

and  makejelus  Chriil  not  only  a  brealcer  of  the  law, 

bat  the  very  author  of  fin  in  others,   alfo  caufing 

them  to   break  tnem.     Hath   not  the  little  horn 

played  his  part  luftily  in  this,  and  worn  out  the 

faints  of  the  Moft  High,  fo  that  they  become  little 

horn   men   alfo  !  If  you  are   pleafed  to  enquire 

mbout  thefe  things,  and  to  require  any  iuflances  or 

informations,  be  pleafed  by  your  letters  to  com«; 

man«.l  it  from   yaqr  humble  fervant  in  the  Lor4 

Jefus  Chrift,  -no  j» 

•^  Peter  Chamberlain." 

Ma/i  "d)  or  thy  Governor,    Sep.    i,    1677. 

Copi  E  s  liereof  were  fent  to  thofe  whom  it  wa,s 
directed  to  ;  and  the  church  fent  a  letter  there- 
with to  Connecticut,  from  whence  this  anfwer 
v/as  returned. 

Hartfird,  8,  8,  78. 

"Frirnds  of  Newport  on  Khode-IIland,  Wil- 
liam Hiicox,  &c.  yours  of  9,  4,  78.,  was  received 
the  7th  inllant,  with  one  enclofed  from  another 
Peter  Chamberlain,  fenior.  The  advice  in  both 
is  readily  complied  withal  and  thankfully  accept-, 
ed.  To  be  minded  of  any  parts  of  the  fcriptures. 
pf  truth  is  greatfully  received,  and  were  it  not 
for  a  feducing  devil,  and  a  deceitful  heart,  they- 
woiild  be  a  rule  of  life  unto  all  tkat  have  fenfds, 

cxerciied 


478      HISTORY  of  the  BAPTISTS 

exercifed  therein,  and  make  due  application  there- 
of.    What  yourfclves,  or  that  worthy  gentleman 
intend,   or  who  or  v.  hat   he  refers  to,   is  not  fo 
cafy  to  gucfs  at.   We  have  of  late  had  to  deal  with 
Rogers  and  his  of  New- London,  towards  whom  the 
authority  have  fhewn  all  condefccnuon  imagina- 
ble to  us  ;  that  if  they   would  forbear  to  otfend 
our  confciences,  we  fhoald  indulge  them  in  their 
perfwafion,   and  give  them  no  oftence  in  the  fc- 
venth  day,  in  worfliiping  Godby  tiiemfdves.  We 
may  doubt  (if  they  were  governors  in  our  flcad) 
they  would  tell  us,   that  their  confciences  \^ould 
not  fu5er  them  to  give  us  fo  much  liberty  ;  but 
that  they  muft  bear  v/ltr.efs  to  the  truth,  and  beat 
down  idolatry,  as  the  old  good  kings  did  in  fcrip- 
ture  ;  they  judging  fo  of  our  Lord's  day   wor- 
fhiping.      It   may   be  that  your  counfel  may  be 
more  taking  with  them,  to  make  them  forbear, 
than  ours  :  w^hicki*  all  at  prefcnt,  with  rcfpects. 
From  yaw  fiieyid  and  ferz-ant  in  ChriJL 
William  Leete/' 
The   church  repeatedly  fent   and  labored  with 
tliem  but   to  Httle  cfiecl.     Mr.    Gibfon  went  and 
lived  and  preached  a  while  among  them  at   New- 
London  ;  but  Mr.  Hubbard  wrote  to  their  aged 
brother  Thorton  (who  had  removed  from  New- 
port to  Providence)  on  Nov.  8,  1679,  informing 
him  of  his  late  vifit  to  that  people,  when  he  found 
that  old  Mr.   Rogers,  had  the  wheel  of  a  loaded 
cart   M'ent   over  his  leg   a  little  below  his  knee, 
bruifiRg  it  much,  and  Irad  been  fo  fix  weeks,  but 
now  could  move  it  :  their  judgment  is  not  to  ufe 
any  means.'*     And  faid  he,  "  pray  remember  my 
refpecls  to  Mr.  Roger  Williams  ;  I  fhould  be  glad 
to  hear  of  him  and  his  wife  ;"  a  great  refpcd  to 
whom  was  Ihewn  ia  all  their  letters  as  long  as  hfc 

lived. 


[1678]     inNEW-EN  GLAND.       479 

lived.  But  on  June  7,  1685,  Mr.  Hubbard  WTOtc 
to  Mr.  Henry  Reeve  oF  Jaiilaica,  and  informed 
him  that  mcfTengcra  were  then  gone  from  thier 
church  to  New-London,  "  to  declare  againft  two 
or  more  of  them  that  were  of  us,  who  are  dccUned 
to  Quakerilhi,  I  might  fay  more;  of  whom  be 
thou  aware,  for  by  their  principles,  they  will  tra- 
vel by  land  and  lea  to  make  difciplcs,  yea,  forry 
ones  too.  Their  names  are  John  and  James  Ro- 
gers, and  one  Donham." 

From  this  bcginni-ng  proceeded  a  fc<5l:  which  has 
Continued  to  this  day,  who  from  their  chief  leader 
have  been  called  Rogerenes.  In  their  dialed, 
and  many  other  things,  they  have  been  like  the 
firil  Quakers  in  this  country  ?  though  they  have 
retained  the  external  ufe  of  baptifm  and  the  fuppcr, 
ind  have  been  fingular  in  rcfufing  the  ufe  ofmcans 
and  medicines  for  their  bodies.  Their  grcateft 
zeal  has  been  difcovered  going  from  meeting  to 
meeting,  and  from  town  to  town,  as  far  as  Nor- 
wich and  Lebanon,  (the  one  14,  the  other  24 
miles)  to  teftify  againft  hireling  teachers, and  againit 
keeping  the  firfl  day  of  the  week  as  a  fabbath, 
which  they  call  the  idol-fabbath.  And  when  the 
authority  have  taken  them  up  and  fined  them 
therefor,  and  have  fometimes  whipt  them  for  re- 
fufing  to  pay  it,  they  have  foon  publifhed  accounts 
of  all  fuch  perfecutions,  which  has  been  the  very 
means  of  keeping  their  fed  alive.  When  the  fmall- 
pox  was  very  terrible  in  Boflon,  in  1721,  and 
great  fear  of  it  was  difcovered  in  the  country, Joha 
Rogers  their  founder,  was  confident  he  could  go 
in  where  it  was  and  not  catch  it  ;  and  to  prove 
his  faith,  went  100  miles  to  Bofton,  but  catched 
the  diftemper,  came  home  and  died  with  it,  and 
fcattertd  it  in  his  family  :   yet  his  fucceiTors  ftiU 

kept 


46       HiSTdHY  or  tiii  BAPTlStS 

kept  on  in  their  way.  So  late  down  as  1763,  fome 
of  them  repeatedly  came  and  clapped  fhingiei  and 
pieces  of  boards  together  around  the  mecting-houfc 
in  Norwich  town,  as  well  as  delivered  mcifages  to 
the  woriliippers,  againft  their  keeping  of  theLord's 
day.  But  as  the  rulers  had  learned  ib  much  wif- 
dom  as  only  to  remove  them  away  from  difturb- 
ing  others  without  inilicling  either  fine,  or  corpo- 
ral punifliment  upon  them,  they  have  ceafed  from 
fuch  things  fince  in  a  great  mcafure,  and  as  they 
never  were  a  large  focietyj  therq  is  hope  of  a;  true 
reformation  among  them.  Befides  thefe,  there 
have  been  fome  fabbatarian  baptifts  in  that  place 
from  the  beginning  to  the  prefcnt  time,  though 
not  a  diftincl  church- 

We  muft  now  return  to  our  baptiff   fathers   at 
Bofton.     The  liberty   they  had  enjoyed,   with  a 
blefling  upon  the  miniflry  of  Mr.  Miles  and  others, 
had  caufed  fuch  an  increafc  of  members,   that   in 
February  1677,    they   agreed  to  divide   into  two 
churches  ;  but  in  January  167B,  they  revoked  that 
act,  and  concluded  to  build  them  ameetrng-houfe, 
in  Bofton,  and  to  defer  the  affair  of  dividing,  till 
they  could  obtain  the  fettlement  of  an  able  fuS- 
cient  miniftry  there.     They  firft  nonnnatcd  Mr. 
RuflcU  for  that  end,  and  then  talked  of  his  going 
to  Swanzey  in  Mr.  Miles's  room  ;    but  in  conclu- 
fion  Mr.  Miles  returned  to  his  old  flock,   and  Mr, 
llufTell  was  ordained  their  p<iflor  in  Bofton,  July 
28,  1679,  and  removed  there.     Before  which  time' 
governor  Leveret  was   deceafed,  and  Mr.    Brad- 
llreet  chofen  in  his  ftead  ;  in  confequence  of  which 
this  church  wrote  to   their  brethren  at    Newport 
the  25th  of  January  this  year,  thatfeveral  of  their 
brethren  and  fiftcrs  had  been  called  to  court,  cen- 
fared,  fined  twsnty  {hillings   a  piece,  and  to  pay 

COUi't 


f;i678] 


ik   NEW-ENGLANI).      48i 


fcourt  chargei ,  and  others  only  admonifhed  and 
to  pay  court  charges,  which  had  not  then  bceii 
paid,  and  the  conftablcs  were  backward  to  make, 
diftrefs  upon  them  if  they  could  Ihift  it  off;  Feb. 
9,  the  church  met,  and  purchafed  their  mecting- 
houfe  with  the  land  it  xvdi  built  iipon^  of  Philip 
SquirCjdnd  Ellis  Callerider,  for  60I.  ;  and  they  met 
in  it  for  wdrlhip  the  15th;  They  had  built  with 
fo  much  Caiitidn  as  not  openly  to  call  it  by  that 
hamc  till  it  Was  done*  ,  They  hid  been  often  cen- 
furcdand  reproached  for  meeting  in  fir  hate  houfesy 
but  now  fay,  "  firice  we  have  for  our  convenience 
obtained  a  pvMk  houfe  dn  piirpofe  foi:  that  ufe,  wc 
are  becorhe  more .  offenfive  than  before."*  The 
leaders  of  the  fociety  were  conveh  ted  before  the 
general  court  df  May  io,  who  not  finding  any  old 
law  feo  fuit  their  turn  then  made  a  new  one,  in 
Uicfe  words;  .... 

"  It  is  ordeired  By  the  cdiirt  arid  the  aiithority 
thercdf,  that  no  pcrfon  what  ever;  without  the 
fcdnfent  of  the  freemen  of  the  town  where  they 
live, .  firft  orderly  had,  and  Obtained,  at  a  public 
meeting  afTembled  for  thiat  end,  and  licence  of 
the  cx3unty  (fourt,  or  in  defeat  of  fueil  Cdnfent,  a. 
licence  by  the  f{?ecial  order  of  the  general  cdurtj 
iliall  eireS:  or  fnake  ufi  of  any  houfe  as  abdvefaid  ; 
ind  in  cife  any  perfon  ot  pcrfonS  fhall  be  tonvided 
of  trarifgrelHngthis  law, every  fiich  houfe  or  hbiifes 
ivhcrein  fuch  petforis  fhall  fo  meet  more  thfri  three 
tinies,  "With  the  land  vVhereor  flich  houfe  or  houfe^ 
(land,  and  all  private  ways  leading  thereto,  fhall 
be  forfeited  to  the  ufe  isf  the  county,  anddifpofcd 
df  by  the  county  trcafUrer,  by  fale  dr  demolifiiing^ 
as  the  court  that  gives  judgment  in  the  cafe  fliali 
ardcr.'^j  ?  P  P  H#w 

*  RulTcll,  p.  !0. 
tMaff.  HccordJi 


4^3    HISTORY  Of  THE  SAP tiStS 

How  different  is  this  from  the  above  language 
6f  governor  Leete  ?  But  iiiftcad  of  fceking  for 
pci-iecution  as  Rogers  did,  this  pcaceaWIe  people' 
refrained  from  meeting  in  their  own  hoiife  for 
the  prefent,  waiting. Co  fee  What  God  \Xould  da 
for  them.  And  he  who  has  the  hearts  of  kings 
in  his  hand,  miOvcd  their  king  to  write  to  the  Maf- 
fachufetts  rulers  on  July  24,  requiring  that  liberty 
of  confcience  fhould  be  allowed  to  all  proteftants,  ley 
as  thej  might  not  be  difcoiintenanced  from  fliaiing 
in  the  goverrirneritj  rhuch  Icfs  that  no  fueli  good 
fubjects  of  his,  foi'  not  agreeing  in  the  cohgrega- 
tional  way,  fliould  by  law,  **  be  fubjefted  to  fine's 
ov  forfeiture  Si  or  other  inGapaicities  for  tlie  fame  \ 
which  is  a  feverity  to  be  the  mor6  wondered  af^ 
"whereas  liberty  of  confcience  Was  made  a  principle 
Iriotxve  for  your  firft^  trahfportatioh  into  thofd 
j)arts.'"*  Deplorable  indeed  was  fheir  cafe  at  this 
time.  Their  all  was  in  great  danger,  for  doing, 
fo  mtich  of  tha£/  which  they  thought  Heaven 
frowrted  upon  tJiefn  for  not  doing  more  of  ;  and 
it  wa?  evidently  the  two  errors  I  have  mentioned 
at  the  foot  of  p.  48,  which  brought  theiu  into  thirf 
dilenlrn'a.  Mr. Williarii  Hubbard,  -t^'hom  1  have  fa 
often  quo^edjwho  was  a:  minifter  allpfwich, preach-* 
ed  at  their  el»dion  in  Bofton  May  3,-  1676  ;  and^ 
as  the  perrhifhon  of  quaker  mcetirigs  haci  been  de- 
ilard  by  many  miniRers,  to  be  one  great  caufeof 
■God*sjudgrherits  theri  upon  them,  which  had  ftirred 
lipth''^  court  to  fei'mty  againft  thatpeopl'-,he  plain* 
}y  gaVe"  his  mind  tb  the  contrary  j  and  that  pride 
and  woTldlyniindedncrs  were  tl\e  greateft  evils- 
then  among  them  :  yet  leaft  governor  Leveret  and 
his  court  Ihouki  be  too  favorable  to  the  baptills, 
he  in  his  dedication  of  that  ferraon  to  them,  p,  6, 
;  iaid 

♦  ^iaff.  hi^.  vc2,  3,  p.  520. 


[i5793      IN    NEW-ENGLAND.      4SJ 

faid,  **  If  he  were  not  much  miftaken  who  faid 
it  is  morally  impofHble  to  rivit  the  chriftiaa  reli- 
gion into  the  body  of  a  nation  without  infant  bap- 
tifm,  by  proportion  it  will  as  neceiTarily  follow, 
that  the  ncglecl  or  difufc  thereof,  will  as  direftly 
tend  to  root  it  out.'"  And  Dr.  Tncreafe  Mather, 
who  yielded  to  Mr.  Mitchel's  reafonings  about  the 
halfway  covenant,  and  took  the  lead  among  the 
MaiTachufetts  miniftcrs  after  his  death,  he  in  that 
capacity  now  moved  the  aiTcmbly  to  convene, 
what  they  called  The  reforming  fyncd.  Firft  they 
kept  a  general  faft  in  their  churches,  ^nd  then  the 
fynod  met  at  Boflon,  Sept.  10,  1679,  to  anfwer 
thefe  two  queftions.  ift.  What  arc' th?  evils  that  .  1 
have  provoked  the  Lord  to  bring  his  judgements  en  ^■ 
Ncw-Engla7id  f  2d,  What  is  to  be  dom^  that  fi  ihefi 
evils  may  he  reformed  f 

They  had  not  gone  far  in  their  anfwer  before 
they  faid,  *' men  havs  fet  up  their  threfliolds  by 
God's  threfliolds,  and  their  poft  '<  by  his  poft. 
Quakers  are  falfe  worfhippers  ;  and  fuch  anabap- 
tifts  as  have  rifcn  up  among  us,  in  oppofition  to 
the  churches  of  the  Lord  Jefus,  receiving  into  their 
fociety ,  thofe  that  have  been  for  fcandal  delivered 
unto  iatan;  yea,  and  improving  thofe  as  adminiftra» 
tors  of  holy  things,who  have  been  (as  doth  appear) 
juftly  under  cenlnre,  do  no  better  than  fet  up  alta'p 
againft  the  Lord's  altar.  Wherefore  it  muQ:  needs 
be  provoking  to  God,  if  thefe  things  be  not  duly 
and  fully  teftifyed  againft,  by  every  one  in  their 
feveral  capacities.'*  Their  refult  was  approved  of 
by  the  general  court  on  Od.  15,  who  commended 
it  to  all  their  churches,  *'  c^ijoining  and  requiring 
all  pcrfons  in  their  rcfpecT:ive  capacities  to  a  care- 
ful and  diligent  reformation  of  all  thofe  provoking 
cyils  mentioned  therein,  according  to  the  truein^ 
tr^nt  thereof,  that  fo  the  anger  and  difplcafure  of 


484      HISTORY  OT  THi  BAPTISTS 

God  many  ways  rnar\xfeftecl,  might  be  averted  j| 
and  his  favour   and  blcffing;  obtained."* 

Tms  dreadful  pharge,  coming  out  from  the 
whole  power  ot  the  colony  againft  one  {rnall  fo- 
pety,  put  therq  lipon  a  critical  review  pf  their 
pafl  conducl:  ;  and  they  found  that  among  about 
ipighty  members  that  they  had  received,  there 
\y ere  hut  two  who,  had  been  cenfurcd  in  thofc 
pthcr  churches  (fince  Mr.  Gould  and  Mr.  Of- 
borne,  of  whorri  we  hayc  before  fpoken)  one  of 
whom  was  Mr.  Thomas  Fofter  of  Billerica,  who, 
for  turning  and  going  away,  wh^n  infants  were 
iprinkled,  :v^.d  for  going  at  laft  and  joining  with 
the  baptift,  and  refufing,  after  they  had  prcfente4 
liim  to,  court,  to  return  tp  the  pther  church,  was, 
^eniure  and  excommunicated  by  them.  The 
^ther  was  Mr.  Farnum,  who  was  the  only  one 
^hat  the  baptift  had  received,  after  others  had  cafl 
hini  out  \  which  was  from  the  north  church  ii\ 
.j^Qfton,  where  Mr. Mayo  and  Dr.Mather  was  mini- 
i^ers..  The  haptifts  now  feat  and  obtained  copies 
^f  the  pro,ceeding5  of  that  church  againft  him^ 
■\vhercby  it  appeared,  that  they  were  in  the  height 
^f  their  dealings  with  him,  the  fame  month  that 
the  afleii^bjy  disfranch^fed  Gould  and  Qfborne  for 
conftitvit^ng  that  baptift  church,  viz.  in  Octobeir 
J 665  ;  and  that  Farnum  got  hi?  temper  up,  and 
"^n  furidry  inftances  fpake  and  acted  yery  unadvifr 

edly  ; 

*  MagnaUa,,  h,  5.  p.  87.  8,9.  I.  Matter's  life  p.  '84.  Mr. 
Stoddard  informs  u«,  that  in  this  Sj-nodthcy  had  a  difpute  about 
pcrfoDS  giyino;,  a  relation  of  the  work  of  God's  fpirit  upon  their 
Icaits,  in  order  to  coming  to  communion.— The  lefult  was,  that 
ihey  blotted  ot,it  that  claufe- — and  put  in  the  room  of  it,  the 
jppaking  a  profeflion  of  their  faith  and  repentance  ;  and  fo  I 
yotfd  with  the  reft,  and  am,  of  the  fanee  judgment  ftill.*'  That 
is  a  profeifion  of  a  faving  change  ftiould  not  be  required  before 
they  come  to  coir.munion.  Stoddard's  appeal,  p.  94.  WaJthis, 
^cfoimiition  P  or  was  it  not  a)>oAacy  I 


[1677]      i»  NEW-ENGLAND.      4S5 

cdly  ;  for  which  the  baptift  now  required  him  to 
pfFer    f^tisf^aioa   to    that  church,   before    they 
would  commune  with  him  again.    This  he  foon 
ufter  did.     Mr.  Willard  owns  that  he  offered  a 
confeffion   therefor  both  qrally  and  in  writing  ; 
but  becaufe  he  refufed  to  return  into  their  com- 
munion  they  judged  it  not  to  be  fmcere.     The 
baptifts  fay   that   fomc  who   had  been  baptized 
among   them  had  afterward  been  refufed  com- 
inuaion  by  the  other  churches,  when  they  had 
^efired  it.     To  which  Mr.  Willard  fays,  *'  They 
know  that  Qur  churches  have  received  fome  that 
were  fcrupelous  about  infant  baptilm,   who  were 
willing  to  carry  inoffcnfively :  that  we  have  refuf€4 
fuch  as  were  re-baptized  among  thofe  excoqmiu- 
nicate  anabaptifts,  is  true  hypothctically,  viz.  ex- 
cept they  would  acknowledge  and  repent  of  that 
ad  ;  becaufe   ive  judge  it  fcandalous."   *    Upon 
which  I  would  only  remark,  that  God  hy%,He  that 
doubteth  is  damned  if  he  eat ;  but  the  Maffachufctts 
were  willing  to  admit  pcrfons  to  eat  vjith  fcrupks^ 
but  excommunicated  fuch  as  put  their  full  ferfua-. 
/ton  about  baptifm  into  praaice,  apd  judged  thofe 
not  to  be  fincerc,  who  would  not  repent  of  that  ad.  \ 
A  letter  at  this  cim«  to  their  goyeraoj  deferyes 
notice,  which  is  as  follows.  >. 

Honored  Sir, 
««  I  HAVE  often  heard  of  your  name  by  Col, 
Eycrs,  whpfe  firft  wife's  name  was  Bradftrcet  } 
and  the  character  I  have  of  you,  if  you  were  her 
fon,  relates  you  a  wife  and  underftanding  man. 
But  your  report  gives  you  as  though  fome  Lader-. 
dales  counfel  had  poffeffcd  you,  which  fet  all  Scot- 
land in  an  uproar.  God  ii  wifcr  than  man  ;  more. 
iuft  and  righteoiis  :  his  counfel  mull  Hand.  Be-, 
•  were 

f  Ruffell,  ^.  10.    Willard,  p.  22: 


^86      HISTORY  or  the  BAPTISTS 

were  of  fmiting  your  brethren,  left  the  ecclefiaftj* 
cal  power  of  England  invade  you.  A  pa-liument 
is  near  at  hand,  when  juil  grievances  wiii  be  pre-> 
vioully  refented  ;  I  hope  ihere  iliall  be  none  duv-^ 
jng  your  government,  Sampfon  pluci^'d  Ji  hopil^ 
on  his  he^d,  and  fell  in  it.  ,  If  1  can  fcrve  you 
in  ?iny  honorabje  "yvay,  conimand  your  humble 
fervant,  '   ^  ^ 

'  TETER  ChaMBLRLAIN, 

JiisMiJJe/ly*s  phjfician  inordinary  tohisB-oyalF^rJhn** 
September  2,  1679, 
Mr,  Samuel  Hijbbard  fometime  after  fent  a  let- 
ter, with  a  copy  of  thjs  to  governor  Lecte,  tg 
check  their  imprifonjng  the  Rogers's  at  New- 
J^ondon,  Notice  being  received  by  the  b^ptifts  in 
Bofton,  of  the  king's  letter  in  thgir  f;avor,  they 
met  ag^in  in  their  houfe  ;  but  had  noc  fo  done 
above  four  times  before  the  court  met,  ;jnd  iffucd 
a  warrant  to  the  conftable  of  Bofton,  requiring 
liim,  "  in  his  Majefty's  name,  forthwith  to  fum- 
mons  PhiHp  Squire,  Ihomas  Skinner  and  Mr. 
JDrinker,  to  make  their  appe;arance  before  thp 
court  of  afliflants  now  fitting,  having  liberty  to 
bring  wich  them  thrte  or  four  more  of  their 
friends,  to  give  an  account  of  their  brejich  of  th« 
law  ii^  eredfing  a  mceting-houfe,  and  that  they 
appear  at  three  of  the  clock  tiiis  inftant,  5th 
March  1689.**  They  appeared  accordingly,  and 
the  court  required  a  pofitive  anfwer  to  the  qucfti- 
on,  whether  they  would  engage,  either  for  the 
whole  fociety,  or  for  themfelves  in  particular,  to 
defift  from  meeting  in  faid  houfe  tiil  the  next  ge- 
neral court  ?  They  faid  they  vv  ere  not  prepared  to 
anfwer  it,  and  defircd  time  to  confult  their  bre^ 
tkren-  This  was  then  denied  them,  but  upon  re* 
Bev/ing;  the  rcqucll  next  morning,  they  were  aU 

bwcdt   . 


[1677]      IN   NEW-ENGLAND.      41 

lowed  fo  much  time  as  ffom  Saturday  till  Mori* 
day.  The  church  met  on  Monday,  and  prcfented 
the  fallowing  addrfefs,  vi2:. 

**  To  the  honorable  tht'  governor  aiid  magi- 
ftrltes  no"W  afTcmbled  at  Bolton,  at  the  court  of 
afiiflarfts  the  %'h  Ot  March  i6go,  the  |)etition  and 
declaration  of  the  foticty  of  people  corhmonly 
known  or  dilHngnif?itd  by  the  name  of  baptifts, 
refiding  iri  and  about  Bodoh,  htimbly  iliewetli. 

In  priniurii,  that  whereas  the  Only  wife  Godj 
having  by  his  providence  led  us  into  that  order 
and  way  off  the  gotpel  of  gathering  ihtO  chtirch 
fellowftiip.  We  do  hereby  cOnfefs,  that  what  we 
did  was  not  out  of  oppolition  to, or  contempt  of  the 
churches  of  Chnft  in  New-England,  but  in  a  holy 
imitation  meerly  for  the  better  enjoyment  of  thS 
liberty  of  our  confciences^  the  great  motive  to 
their  removal  at  firft  into  this  Wildefnefs.  1.  ThaC 
the  b\iildiag  a  eortvenient  place  for  oiir  public 
chilrch  affembly,  Was  not  thought  of  affronting" 
authority^  there  being  iio  law  in  the  country 
agairift  any  fuch  practice  at  ths  erecting  of  this 
houfe,  and  did  therefore  think  as  the  apoflle  faith,- 
wbere  then  is  no  laiv,  there  is  no  tranfgrejfion*  The 
dictates  of  nature,  or  common  prudenGc  belonging 
to  mankind,  and  the  cx:imple  or  practice  of^he 
Coilntfy  throughout  lead  to  the  feeking  of  this 
convenience.  %,  There  being  a  law  made  in  May 
laft  againft  niecting  in  the  place  Built,  we  fub- 
mitted  to  the  fame,  until  we  fully  underftood  by 
tetters  from  fcVcral  in  Londiyn,  that  it  was  his 
majefty^s  pleafare  and  cotnmand  {{[\t  common 
fuperfedus  to'  all  corporition  laws  in  the  Englifh 
Cation,  that  have  not  the  royal  afTent  *)  that  we 

fiiould 

*  Their  chaffcY  v('^So^igrna]'y<^ef:gre-dforacorporatioi>in£ng- 
hnd,  to  be  execute;!  oftly  by  a  deputation  in  thisGountry,  as  the 
iiing's  fcbfcrvesia  tkc  icU«r  rofcrei  to  Mali.  hift.  vol.  3. p.  ^19, 


483     HIStORT  of  the  BAPTISTS 

iliould  enjoy  liberty  of  our  meetings  in  the  mari- 
iicr  as  other  of  his  proteftant  fubjcds  ;  and  the 
general  court  at  their  laft  meeting  not  having 
Voted  a  non- concurrence.  4.  As  therefore  the  two 
tribes  and  half  did  humbly  and  meekly  vindicate 
themfclvesj  upon  the  erecting  of  their  altar,  when 
challangcd  for  it  by  Elcazer,  and  the  meffengeri 
of  the  ten  tribes,  fo  do  we  hereby  cdnfcfs  in  like 
manner,  that  We  hive  not  defigned  by  this  adt 
any  contempt  of  authority^  nor  any  departing 
from  the  living  Gpdj  or  churches  of  his  vvorfliip, 
the  Lord  God  of  gods  he  knows  it,  Jofhua  xxii,  22. 
Though  it  be  our  lotj  with  the  apoftles,  in  the 
way  that  fome  call  hercfy  fo  to  worlhip  the  God 
of  our  fathers.  Your  petitioners  therefore,  having 
tio  defign  agaiilft  the  peace  of  this  place,  but  being 
ftill  as  ready  as  ever  to  hazard  our  lives  foV  the: 
defence  of  the  people  of  God  here,  do  humbly  re- 
cjueft  that  this  our  profeiRon  and  declaration  may 
find  acceptance  wich  this  honorable  court,  as  that 
of  the  two  tribes  did  with  Eleazer^  and  that  wc 
may  ftili,  through  yotir  allowance  and  proteftion, 
enjoy  the  liberty  of  God's  worfhip,  in  fuch  place* 
as  God  hath  afforded  us,  which  will  greatly  o- 
bii^e  your  petitioners,  as  in  duty  bound,  hmnblif 
to  pray. 
Signed  by  us  in  the  name  and  with  the  confeM 
of  the  church. 

ifaae  Hul/^ 
John  Ruffeil, 
Edward  Drinker, 
Thomas  Skinner,'* 
But  inftead  of  having  any  ears  to  hear  this  loyal 
md  chriflian  addrcfs,  their  marffial  was  fent,  and 
inding  their  gate  locked,  forced  his  way  througk 
Mr.Squire's  ground,  aad  nailed  up  their  mecting< 

hottfe    '■' 


[t686]       IN  NEW.ENGLANt).       48^ 

liouCe  doors,  putting  a  pi^&  tlicreoh  which  faid, 
*'  All  perfons  are  to  take  notice,  that  by  order 
of  the  court  the  doors  of  this  hbufe  ire  fhut  up, 
and  that  they  arc  inhibited  to  hold  any  meeting 
therein,  or  to  open  the  doors  thereof,  without 
licenfc  from  authority,  till  the  general  court  take 
further  order,  as  they  will  anfwcr  the  contrary  at 
Ihcir  peril.  ^    . 

Dated  in  Boftoh,    8th  March*    i68o, 
B^  order  of  the  couficU, 

Edward  RaWSoJt,  fecVy." 

Thk  Baptifts  required  a  copy  of  the  MarfKars 
^^arrant,  but  he  refufed  it  ;  they  then  went  to  the 
fecretary  for  one,  who  plainly  ^told  theni,  "  he 
was  not  to  let  them  hive  ariyi"  They  iiiet  the 
hext  Lord'is-day  in  their  yard,  "ihd  in  the  week 
enfuihg  prepared  a  fhed  therein  for  the  pijrpofe  ^ 
but  when  they  .  came  together  the  fccond  Lord's- 
day,  they  found  the  doors  open  ;  and  confidering 
fay  they,  "  that  the  court  had  not  dOn'e  it  legally, 
and  that  %^e  were  denied  a  copy  of  tht  i:chltable& 
;Order  and  Marfhal's  warrant,  We  cbhcluded  to  go 
into  our  houfe,  it  being  our  own,  having  a  civil 
right  to  it.'"  And  they  met  therein  till  the  af^ 
icmbly  fat,  bcfdre  whom  they  Were  cdn vented  oa 
May  n.  .  When  they  gave  in  thiefc  plea's,  "  i. 
The  houfe  was  our  own,  t*  It  was  built  before 
the  law  v/as  niade,  therefore  no  trahfgreflioh,  3. 
The  exprefs  will  and  plcifurc  df  the  king,  that 
wc  Ihould  enjoy  our  liberty;  After  fome  debate 
bf  the  matter  (in  which  we  met  with 'fome  hard. 
and  reviling  fpeeches  from  fome  ofthem)we  were 
difmiffed  for  that  time.  Next  morning  we*  put 
Up  1  humble  petition,  (being  blamed  by  fotne  in 
the  court  that  we  had  not  done  it  before)  that 
there  might  be  a  fufpenfion  of  any  proceedings 
Q^q  q  agaijafi 


^^o     DISTORT  Of  THE  BAPTISTS 

againft  u?.**  Tliefe  accounts  I  have  taken  frcni 
their  c'iiufch  rccord:>  and  papers.  On  the  colony 
records  tinder  May  19, 1  find  it  thus  "wnttcn,  vij. 

"  After  the  court  had  heard  their  anfwcr  and 
plea,  peruicd,  their  petition  and  what  cIiq  was 
produced,  the  parties  were  called  in,  the  courts 
ieritence  in  the  name  of  the  court  was  pubUflied 
to  them  ;  that  tlie  court  in  anfwer  to  their  petition 
judged  ic  nicet  and  ordered,  that  the  petiiioncri 
be  admonifhed  by  the  prcfent  honoied  goveriior 
for  their  olFence,  and  fo  granted  them  their  peti- 
tion, fo  far  as  to  forgive  them  their  offence  pafT^ 
but  fti'U  prohibited  tacm  as  afnciety  of  themfelves, 
or  joined  with  others,  to  meet  in  that  pubHc  place 
they  have  built,  or  any  public  hotife  except  fucli 
as  are  allovved  by  lawful  authority  :  and  .accoi  d- 
ingly  the  governor  in  open  court  gave  them  their 
admonition." 

Dr.  Mather  had  publifhcd  a  piece  the  proceed- 
ing March,  intitlcd  The  divine  right  of  ivfafit  bap' 
iijm,  containing  fome  injurious  rcfledions  upon 
this  people  ;  which,  with  others,  were  briefly  an- 
fwered  in  Mr.  RufTell's  narrative,  dated  from  Eof- 
ton,  the  2cth  of  this  month,  with  the  canfent  of  thi 
whole  churchy  and  fcnt  to  London,  where  Mcfl^'rs 
tVilliam  Kiffens  Daniel  Dyke,  William  Collins, 
Hanferd  KnoUys,  John  Harris  and  Nehcniiah  Cox, 
noced  baptill  miniilcf,  wrote  a  preface  to  it,  in 
whicih  they  fay,  "  As  for  our  brethren  of  the 
congregational  wiy  in  Old-England,  both  their 
principles  and  praclice  do  equally  plead  for  our 
liberties  as  for  their  own  ;  and  it  feems  ftrangc 
that  fuch  of  the  fame  way  in  New-England,  yea, 
even  fuch  (a  generation  not  yet  cxtincl,  or  the 
very  next  fuccelfors  of  them)  who  with  liberal 
■si^ates  chofe  rsvthec  to  depart  fj'am   their  native 

foliil 


ti6So]       IK  NEW-ENGLAKD.      451 

foil  into  a  wilderncfs,  than  be  under  the  im* 
pofition  and  lafli  of  thofe,  who  upon  religious 
pretences  took  deligjit  to  fmitc  their  fellow, 
lervancs,  fhould  excrcife  towards  others  the 
like  feverity  that  themfelvcs  with  fo  great  hazard 
and  hardfhip  fought  to  avoid  ;  efpecially  conii* 
dering  that  it  is  againft  their  brethren,  who  a* 
vowcdly  profcfs  and  appeal  to  the  lame  rule  wi.th 
themfelvcs  for  their  guidance  in,  and  dccifion  o£ 
all  matters  relating  to  the  worfhip  of  Qod  and  the 
ordering  of  their  whole  convcrfation-^For  onp 
proteftantcongregation  to  periecutc another,wherc 
there  is  no  pretence  to  infallibility  in  the  dcciiioa 
of  all  controverfies,  feems  much  more  unrcalona* 
ble  than  the  cruelties  of  the  church  of  Rome  to- 
wards them  that  depart  from  their  fuperflitions  ; 
and  if  prejudices  were  removed  and  oppcrtunities 
o^ Poiver  not  abufed,  bat  the  golden  rule  of  our 
Saviour  were  duly  attended  unto  and  rightly  ap- 
plied in  the  prefent  cafe,  certainly  more  modcra-r- 
tion,  yea,  even  compallion  would  be  exercifed  to- 
wards thefe  our  chrilHan  friends  by  fuch  as  novr 
give  them  trouble,"  They  clofe  with  obfcrving 
That  Dr.  Stillingftrcet  had  already  declared,  in  his 
Mi/chief  of  fiiparation,  that  their  rigorous  courfc- 
againft  congregationalifls  in  England,  was  juftified 
by  the  procefs  of  the  rulers  here,  againft  diilenters 
from  themfclves  ;  and  pray  that  the  governors  of 
New-England  would  regard  their  brethren  there, 
fo  much  as  to  remit  thefc  proceedings.  What  was 
faid  in  anfwer  thereto,  we  fhall  fee  prefcntly,  after 
I  have  obfcrvcd,  that  elder  RufTcll  was  taken  from 
his  beloved  flock  by  death,  Dec-  21,  1680 :  Upon 
which  the  church  met  the  next  day,  and  3g)  eed 
that  their  brother  Callender,  fhould  be  helpful  in 
tarrying  on  theii'  v/orfhip  in  llofton.,  on  Lord's-. 

days 


4.91       HISTORY  ay  th£  BAPTISTS 

days  in  the  forenoon,  ^nd  brother  Drinker  in  th^ 
afternoon,  in  th.e  a,bi<^ncc  of  elder  Hull.  It  is 
evident,  that  the  gifts  and  graces  of  elder  B-uiTcll 
weie  not  irnall  ^  aiid  his  mv^liory  is  precious.  HisL 
grand- daughter  Brooks,  jiiarried  into  Swanzey^ 
whofe  fons,  Job,  '^-  Huffcll,  and  John  Mafon  have- 
been,  and  the  two  latter  ftill  are  ufeful  gofpel 
preachers  in  the  fecond  Baptift  church  in  that  town ;, 
Alio.  RIeff'rs  Joleph,  William  and  Jonathan  Ruflelli 
Tio\y  noted  Uadtrs  in  Providence,  are  of  his. 
pcllcrity. 

In  1 68 1,  a  minifter  of  the  church  in  Bofton,^ 
which  was  formed  in  a.  fchilmaticjl  way,  in  1 669,. 
pubUihed  an  anfwer  to  the  Baptift 's  narrative  5  and 
though  it's  author  was  dcceafed,  yet  he  intitled  it,^^ 
*^Ne  Jlitor  ultra  crcpidam  :  for  brief  animadverfiong. 
iipon  the  New-England  anabaptifts  late  fallacioui^ 
narrative  ;  wherein  the  notorious  miftakes  and; 
falfhoods  by  thenx  publifhed,  are  detected  ;  by 
Samuel  Wilhrd,  &c.**"  'i'o  which  he  adds,  as  a. 
inotto,  Rom.  16,  17,  18.  Dr.  Increafe  Mather,^ 
■wrote  a  prefac-e  to  this  work,  wherein  he  fays, 
*'  Many  are  of  the  mind,  that  it  is  not  worth  the 
while,  to  take  notice  of  what  is  emitted,  by  niei\ 
fo  obfcurc  a.nd  inconiiderable.-r-rit  fcems  to  mcj, 
that  the  reverend  author  of  the  following  animad^ 
veriions,  hath  fliewed  niuch  humility,  in  condc*. 
icen4ing  to  take  perfoQs  in  hand,  between  whons; 
and  hinifelf  there  is  fuch  an  impar  co?igreJfus.-r^As, 
ioT  the  brethren;,  that  have  thought  good  to  prefix; 
an  ep.iftle  to  fuch  a  narrative,  and  therein  dccjare,^^ 
that  moleflatipn,  is  given  and  fevcrity  is  cxercifcdi 
towards  antrpedobaptifts  in  Ncw-Englajid,  meerly 
for  a  fuppoft;d  erro^C  ?tbout  %h^  fubjcct  of  baptifnig 

controverted 

*  Rider  Job  M«fon  died,  fince  this  hiflory  was  in  the  prc(Si, 
?^ed8o.;  fCcblerkceptovcurlaJ. 


Ci68i]    m  NEW-ENGLAND.      453 

controverted  amongft  learned  and  holy  mcB, 
they  arc  marvcloufly  deceived  in  that  their  fup* 
polition.  Proteftants  ought  not  to  pcrfecut^  ajiy, 
yet,  that  proteftants  -may  punilh  proteftants  ;  and 
as  the  cafe  may  be  circumftanced,  a  congregation 
of  fuch  as  call  themfelves  proteftants,  cannot  ra- 
tioaally  he  denied.  Thofe  of  the  congregational 
way,  fully  concur  with  the  old  puritan  non-con^* 
formifti,  fuch  as  Cartwright,  Rainold,  Whitaker, 
Bains,  Parker,  iic.  in  whofc  writings  congrega- 
tional principles,  about  church  government,  are  to 
bic  fecn.*  Now  the  old  non-con formifts  (notwith- 
{landing  their  fufFerings  from  thofe  that  took  de^ 
light  to  fmitc  their  fellow  fervants)  did  believe 
that  diforders  in  whole  congregations  were  liable 
to  the  civil  magiftrates  cenfure.*— Our  famous 
Cotton  was  another  Mofes,  in  refpecl  of  mceknefs 
^ndl  chriftian  forbearance,  ai  to  diffenters  from  his 
judgment  in  mattenof  a  lefler  concernment,  ye^ 
would  he  fometimes  make  a  zealous  proteftation, 
that  if  magiftrates  in  New-England  fliould  tolerate 
tranfgrcffors  again  ft  the  rules  of  g^odlinefs  (as  well 
as  offences  contrary  to  what  the  rules  of  honefty 
require)  he  beheved  that  God  would  not  long^ 
tolerate  them.^  WQuld  intre^t  the  brethren  that 

have 

*  Thefe  are  the  men  refercd  to  in  our  p.  12,  1  j,  who  opened 
^  door  for  Mr.  Robinfon  and  his  brethren,  by  which  tkemfehet 
entered  not.  Their  firft  admonition  t$  thsparliajnen^t,  was  prclented 
thereto  by  Mr.  John  Field  and  Mr.  Wilcox  ;  for  whioh  they  were 
committed  to  fs'ewgate  prifon,  on  Od.  2,  1672.  This  caufed 
Mr.  Thomas  Cartwright,  to  right  the fuond  admonition  to  far', 
liament,  quoted  by  Mr.  Robinfon,  and  alfo  to  anfwer  what  Dr. 
Whitgift  had  written  againii  the  hrft.  And  Mr.  Neal  Ciy*,  in© 
rcafon  why  <hey  could  not  fettle  the  con^rsveriy,  was  bccaufe 
Cartwrigkt  was  for  making  his  bibh  the  only Jiandar d  oi  dotXuna, 
difcipline  and  government  ;  but  Whitgift  held  the  latter  of  ihcfc 
\o  be  chanf^eable,  to  accommodate  the  civil  governments  wc  livs 
'tii;dcr.    Hi/iory  iff  th;  Puritg^ns,  vol,  i^  p.  15s— J57. 


4$A-      HISTORY  or  the  BAPTISTS 

have  fubfcribcd  the  eplflles  ferioufly  to  confidcr  ; 
J.  That  the  place  may  fometimes  maVie  a  great 
alteration  as  to  indulgence  to  be  expected.  It  is 
evident,  that  that  toleration  is  in  oneplacc,not  only 
lawful;  but  a  nccellkry  duty,  which  in  another 
•plade  would  be  deftructivc  j  and  the  cxpcftation 
of  it  irrational.  That  which  is  needful  to  ballalt  a 
great  fhip,  will  fmk  a  fmall  boat.-— 2.  Let  them 
confider,  that  thofe  ol  their  perfualion  in  tiiis  place 
have  afled  with  fo  niucli  irregularity  and  prophan* 
nefs,  that  fhould  men  of  any  pcriiialion  whatfo- 
ever  have  done  the  like,  the  fame  feverity  would 
have  been  ufed  towards  them."  This  hard  fcn- 
tence  his  fon  has  propogated  to  poftcrity.  * 

But,  fearch  through  al!  they  have  faid  againft 
thofe  people,  and  I  am  con  "dent  that  the  grcateft 
real  diforder  they  have  produced,  was  the  churches 
receiving  Farnum  as  they  did  ;  which  when  they 
had  proper  knowledge  of,  they  redlified.  But  is 
this  comparable  to  the  diforders  at  Hingham,  20 
years'before  :  Where  lieut.  Eames  was  regularly 
ehofen  their  captuinjaad  prefented  to  the  court  for 
2.  commillion  ;  but  foon  upon  it,  a  notion  was 
flarted  to  choofe  another  man,  related  to  the  mi- 
nifter,  into  that  office,  who  accordingly  was  eho- 
fen and  prefented.  And  when  the  realbn  of  it  was 
afked  for,  they  faid  Eames  had  refigned  ;  but  he 
faid  he  had  not.  Hereupon  the  miuifter  cenfurcd 
him  for  lying  ;  and  this  coft  three  or  four  days 
tedious  labors  of  a  council,  v/ithout  being  able 
to  fettle  it  ;  and  occafioned  the  petition  of  Dr. 
CJhild  and  others,  with  much  trouble  to  governor 
V.' inthrop  and  the  alllmbly.  Seep.  139,  14c.  Yet 
the  ifllie  of  all  was,  that  the  minifler  of  Ilin ^hani 
excommunicated  captain  E^nieSj  contrary  to  the 

rniad& 

•  hUgnslh,  B    7.  p.  :8. 


Ci68i3     x><lTEW-EN  GLAND.       4W 

mindj  of  other^  minifters,  and  by  their  advice, 
*'  Thofe  that  were  without  jull  eauie  eaft  out 
i,t  Hiiii^ham,  were  received  into  the  church  o£ 
Weymouth,  the  next  town,  and  the  matter  lb 
continued  through  xhcjUfnefs  of  their  minds,  aad 
their  felfwilkd  refolutions.'"* 

In  the  piece  upon  infant  baptifm, which  Dr.Mather 
had  publiihed,  he  accufed  thofc  baptifls  of  the  fifl 
of  Jeroboam,  who  made  prieilis  of  the  loiuejl  ofthv'^ 
people  \  in  which  fays  Mr.  Ruffell,  **  we  eafily  un- 
derfland  •'  what  he  means  ;  our  evil  in  tliis  r(% 
fpecl,  is  oar  calling  to  office  thofe  who  have  no-t 
been  bread  up  in  colleges,  and  taught  in  otha« 
languages,  but  hjtvc  been  bread  to  other  caJHngs-. 
It  is  not  becaufc  we  are  againft  learning,  for  we 
efteem  it,  and  honor  it  in  its  place  j  and  if  we  had 
Juch  among  us  and  that  they  were  togethet 
With  that,  othcrways  duly  qualified  for  the  work 
of  the  minillry,  wc  fliould  readily  chufe  them. 
But  we  da  not  think  the  fpirit  of  God  is  locked 
up  fo  in  the  narrow  limits  of  college  learning,  tha^ 
hone  are  to  be  called  to  office  in  a  church  but 
fuch,  nor  that  all  fuch  are  fit  for  that  work,  be 
they  ne%'er  fo  great  fchollars  ;  neither  do  we  think 
that  all  thofe  who  have  not  that  learning,  are  to 
be  accounted  the  lou^eft  of  the  people.  Indeed 
the  pricfthood  was  bounded  to  the  tribe  of  Levi 
by  divine  inftitution,  but  we  cannot  find  that  the 
Lord  hath,  by  divine  inftitution,  given  the  work 
of  the  miniib-y  to  men  of  fuch  learning  only. 
Whom  he  will  he  fits  and  quallifies  for  that  work  ; 
neither  are  wc  left  without  a  plain  rule  in  the  new 

t«flamcnt    ■ 

*  JVinihtsp-'lluihard — "^sal,  voi  T,  p.  233.  Andhowjuft 
ilfo  vvas  it  for  both  ainiftTS  and  courrs  to  accufe  thu  baptifts' 
diurch,  of  having  excommunicated  olHicri  la  the  p\'s:A  vfh«a. 
Ikcy  ncY*r  ba^ibut  one  i 


'4V^      HtSTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

tcftament  to  dired  us  in  this  matter  *  In  thcfe 
plain  gofpel  fcntcmcnts  have  the  baptifls,  on  both 
fides  of  the  Atlantic,  perfevered  to  this  day.  But 
his  apponent  faid  of  the  text  refetcd  to,  "  The 
Belgic  and  others  read  it.  of  both  ends  of  the  fmplc. 
If  a  fit  man  would  except  it  ^6  ;  if  not,  to  the 
Other  end,  and  take  one  unlit.  The  anabaptifts 
Would  have  a  learned  man  if  they  could  get  one  of 
their  mind ;  it  nOtj  John  Ruffcll  the  fhoc-maker— = 
Truly,  if  goOdmanRLiflcU  was  ajit  man  for  a  mi- 
nifter,  wc  have  but  fooled  ourfelves  in  building 
colleges,  and  inftrucling  children  in  learning."  f 
Here  is  a  plain  fpecimen  of  what  mahy  call  learn- 
ing,though  the  truly  learned  apoftle  'P2iu\,re?7oUnced 
it  with  abhorrancdi  2  Cor.  4,  2.  Either  thofe  who) 
have  a  college  education,  are  thereby  made  the, 
head  of  the  people,  and  the  reft  are  to  be  ranked 
to  the  other  end,  or  elfe  this  is  a  handling  the 
Word  of  God  deceitfully  ;  and  God  fays.  The  pro^ 
fhet  that  teacheth  lies,  he  ii  the  tail. 

Again,  the  baptifts  had  faid  in  their  tbhfciIioi4 
df  faith,  that  thofe  who  gladly  receive  the  word 
ind  are  baptized,  arc  faints  by  calling,  and  fitmat" 
ter  of  a  viilble  church.  This  Dr.  Mather  called 
^  pernicious  principle.  But  fays  Mr.  Ruffdli  "  'Whd 
dare  deny  this  to  be  a  found  truth  ?  as  for  the 
conclufiort  he  draws  from  thence,  viz.  that  there 
are  lio  vifible  believers  but  thofe  that  arc  baptized^ 
is  his  own,  not  ours  ;  the  improvement  he  make? 
of  it,  not  what  we  make  of  it.  Far  be  it  frorrt 
us  to  jtidge  all  that  are  not  baptized,  not  to  be 
vifible  faints,  for  we  judge  that  the  Lord  hatk 
many  precious  people  in  the  world  that  are  not 
baptized,  according  to,  or  in  the  manner  we  bap- 
tize J  and  further  wc  judge  they  fhould  be  vifible 

faints 

'    .•  Jtid-cII,  p.  14,  t  WilUrd,  p,  26. 


[i53i]      IN  NCW-ENOLAND.        457 

faints,  before  bipti/Sed,  or  e'^c:  they  have  no  n^ht 
to  baptirm,  for  ic  is  nor  juptifm  that  can  make 
jfairiCs.  Ani  as  for  iookiiig  apo,.  iakmr  bapt^-^m 
as  nothing,  or  a  imiiky,  tiiat  is  tru.^  ;  and  we  ca-i 
look  on  it  no  otircrwife,  till  We  lee  right  to  ov.  1 
it  to  be  that  wlii^h  he  thinks  ot  1^  viz.  .}i  d'vis 
right,  which  we  cannot  fee  grown  from  the  t.  u 
to  do  ;  and  as  for  not  owning  their  cluirches- 
we  never  yet  denied  them  to  be  churctics  ni-C.lirifi 
It  is  enough  for  ev#fy  one  to  prove  his  own  v/nk 
bat  we  have  owned  theitl  as  fuch  ;  for  wuc  ■: 
there  is  true  matter  joined  togetlier  in  the  bond  :;.. 
a  holy  covenant  they  may  be  looked  at  as  atiu' 
church,  though  not  in  dae  order.'^*  This';-!'". 
tiot  enough  for  the  other  party,  but  their  cry  Iti) 
was,  "  they  fay  baptized  parfons  are  true  m^.ttr 
of  a  viilble  church,  and  they  fay  thofe  th.it  were 
only  fprinkled  in  their  infancy,  were  never  bap- 
tized ;  and  will  not  this  undermine  the  founda- 
tion '^f  all  the  churches  in  the  world  but  theirs  ? 
and  what  mo*e  pv^rnicioas !  they  had  even  as  good 
cry  with  Edoii's  fons,  ra'ife  it,  raifs  it  to  the  foun* 
datioK  /— Expe.ience  tcllj^^  us  that  fuch  a  rough 
thing  as  a  ^fc^v-Elnglan.i  anabaptift  is  not  to  be 
handled  over'tectderly  ;  the  'pirit  which  they  have 
at  all  ti'ne^j  discovered  under  the  greateft  dlfacl* 
vantages  (and  Ood  grant  that  they  may  ne^v^er 
have  more  advantage'  over  usj  eafily  tells  us  w.hai: 
they  would  have  been  if  chcunnlanccd  as  thofc 
whom  they   accufe."  j 

Mr.  Hubbard  got  the  mod  out  of  temper  upon 
this  occafion  that  he  ever  did  in  a  wholt-  volume 
in  folio,  and  faid,  *'  one  John  RuflcTI,  a  wedder- 
4rop'd  Ihoe-maker— ftiched  up  a  Imall  pharnphct, 

R  r  2V  WMiiCfiUI 

*  Ruifel,  p.  14. 
t  Willard,  p,  JO,  17, 


498      HIStOKY  o7  TBI  BAPTISTS 

wherein  he  endeavors  to  c!ear  tht  innocency  of 
thofe,  commonly  (though  falfly  he  fays)  called 
anabaptifts.  Surely  he  was  not  well  aware  of  the 
old  adage,  Nefutcr  ultra  crepidam*  or  elfe  he  would 
not  have  made  inch  botching  \w  rk."— And  goe^ 
on  to'  recite  what  you  may  fee  of  the  fimple  cobkr,- 
in  p,  183,  184,  which  he  calls  honeftjiitches  ufed  ta 
much  better  purpofs.  Btit  having  taken  the  old 
round  to  Germany,  he  recovers  his  fenfcs  again, 
and  then  fays,  **  Tc  return  cO^what  was  in  hand^- 
and  give  this  ^6fpe!  bf  dcrcd  church  (as  John  Ruf- 
fell  terms  them)  what  U  their  due,  from  an  hif- 
torian  j  as'  for  the  perfohs  of  thofe  feven  [hrfl 
males  of  the  church]  he  apologizes  ior,  it  may  be 
more  6afily  granted  that  they  were  good  in  the 
main,  than  that  it  wks  a  good  work  for  God,  iht^ 
were  engaged  iri-^'Good  itneii  may  be  found  to  be 
ill  employed  ;  a's  Peter  was,  when  Chrift  rebukes 
and  calls  fatan,  and  bids  him  get  behind  him. 
Whether  any  of  them  did  a'bfolutely  defcrve  to  be 
delivered  to  fata'n,  for  their  obftinacy  in  their  opi- 
nions, or  other  mifcarriages,  which  either  through 
weaknefs  of  their  judgments,  or  ftrength  of  their 
paillons,  which  in  defence  of  their  opinions  or 
practices  they  rua   into  5  or  whether  there  wcrsf 

not 
*  It  was  truly  of  fomc  age  j  for  after  Jsiocs,!.  had  prc^ichedf 
in  the  ftar-ch^mt>cr,  '•  That  the  nivf^ery  of  the  King's  power,  li 
not  lavyful  to  be  difputcd  ;  for  that  is  to  wade  into  the  weak- 
nefs of  prin(ie's;  rfnd  to  tiKc  away  the  Myrtical  reverence  ibatf 
belongs  to  thofe  who  fit  In  «he  tUXCNE  of  God — It  is 
athcifm  and  blafphtmy  l6  dif»<ufc  what  Gcd  can  dt.«-So  is  H 
prefumplion  and  hi;:h  contempt  in  a  ftbjed  to  difpute  what  t 
King  can  do  or  fay  :"  He,  the  year  after  our  fathers  firS  czme 
to  Plymoulb,  repremanded  his  parliament  for  petitioning  agairft 
his  taking  aPopilh  wife  for  his  fon  Charles, and  faid,  "A  fmall 
£niftaking  of  matters  of  this  nature,  .may  produce  more  t^aiXs 
than  can  fee  imagined  :  therefore,  i\t  fittor  ultra  crepsda^a.'^ 
Kipin,  vol.  Zip.  ij2,  211. 


[iSSi]       IN  NEW-EN  QLAND.       499 

not  more  acrimony  of  the  filt,  than  fvveetnefs  o£ 
the  gofpcl  fpirit  of  peacp,  in  thpfe  that  managed 
the  difcipUne  of  the  church  againft  fome  pfthem, 
muft  not  be  here  difcuffcd—rYet  that  pan  give  no 
colour  to  a  few  giddy  fcclaries,  that  fonclly  con- 
,ceit  thcmfelves  to  be  an  prderly  church,  when 
|:heir  very  conilitution  16  expHcitly,  not  only  with- 
put,  but  agaiaft  the  cqnient  q-  all  the  red  of  the 
churches  in  tlie  places,  in  well  as  the  order  of  the 
pvil  authority." 

I  LOVE  to  fee  honefty  if  perfons  are  erroilious  ; 
for  then  we  have  an  advantage  to  jtidge  for  our? 
felves,  and  to  kvow  the  better  how  to  deal  wi;;h. 
then?.  And  I  malt  lay  that  governor  Winthrop, 
from  whorn  Mr.  Hubbard  took  many  things,  exf 
peeded  him  in  that  noble  quality  ;  and  that  Mr, 
H.  exceeded  all  the  hiilprians  I  have  {cen  who 
have  copied  frpm  him,  except  the  pious  Mr. 
Fiince.  Others  have  often  given  us  hard  namesf 
without  explaining  what  they  ment  by  them  5 
but  Mr.  Hubbard  plainly  tells  us  foon  after  Mr. 
Cotton's  arrival  at  Bofton,  that;  j:he  minifters, 
i^'ufed  to  meet  once  a  fortnight  at  one  pf  their 
houfes  in  coiirfe,wh€re  fome  qucftion  pf  mprpeant 
was  debated :  Mr.  Skiltpn,  paftpr  pf  Salem,  and 
Mr.  Williams  (as  yet  npt  prdaincd  ari  officer  there) 
out  of  a  rigid feperation-jealoiify,  tpok  exceptipn  at  ; 
prpgnpfli eating  that  it  might  in  time  bring  forth 
a  prcfbytery,  or  fupcrintcndancy,  to  the  prejudice 
of  the  churches  liberties,  (A  (pirit  pf  rigid  fepa- 
ratipn  had  it  feems  fo  early  iSy  blowij  their  under- 
llandings) — the  venum  of  which  ipirit  hau  fooi^ 
after  infecled  fo  many  of   that   chjirci}  and  pco- 

g'e  at  Salem^  as  will  appear  in  the  next  ciiapter, 
,  ut  this  fear  was  without  caufe  ;  nor  diditlpiinp^ 
:^om  a  godly  jcalouiy,  but  frona  the  bitter  roo.  o^* 

pri^Ca 


^o«     HISTORY  or  the  BAPTISTS 

.  pride,  that  ventetVitfelf  above  order,  and  agamft 
)ovc  and  peace.  No  iucli  fpiiit  was  ever  obi'-^n^cd 
to  appear  in  Mr.Cotton's  days,  but  a  Ipirit  of  love 
and  Rjeeknefi',  nor  lince  hi-";  time,  to  the  prelent 
year."  And  though  the  author  of  the  MalTachu- 
fc-tis  hiftoiy,  approves  of  Mr.  \ViJliai:i's  opinion 
about  linerty  of  confcience,  and  fixes  upon  his 
jroxing  Mr.  Endicot  to  cut  the  crols  out  of  the 
traiiithg  colours,  as  the  beft  plea  he  cov.ld  make 
for  thdr  bani(hing  ut  him  ;  yet  Mr.  Hubbard 
honeftly  fays,  '*  1  hi*  eilay  did  but  tick  at  loine  of 
the  upper  brancl;cs»  whereas  Mr.  W  ilUams  laid 
his  ax  at  the  very  root  of  the  ?iu7^!jh"ial  pc-iVer  in  mat* 
Urs  0,  the  fi'-Jh  table,  which  he  drove  on  at  iuch  a 
rate,  fo  as  iirmy  agitations  were  occaTioned  there, 
by,  that  pulied  down  ruin  upon  himielf,  friends 
and  his  poor  family.' '  Now  if  the  render  will 
look  back  to  p.  136—175,  and  compare  that 
Vt'itli  their  aclingb  down  to  this  time,  he  will  have 
a  fair  opportunity  to  know  the  meaning  of  the 
terms,  rigid-fcparation,  turbulent  anabaptifrs, 
giddy  fectaries,  ^'c.  as  they  were  often  uicd  hj 
that  party. 

Mr.  Williams  clofed  his  fecond  pica  for  religi-- 
cus  liberty,  with  an  addreis  to  tlie  popifh,  prcla- 
tical  prcroyteri;in  and  indcpendant  clergy  of  the 
whole  kingdom,  wherein  he  m.akes  ufe  of  the 
*'  fable  or  fuiiilitude  of  a  Avolf  and  a  poor  lamb 
coming  down  to  drink  at  the  fam.e  ftream  togc-  ■ 
ther  :  the  wolf  cruel  and  ftrong  ^rink.<j  above 
and  aloft  ;  the  lamb  innocent  and  weak,  drinl^g 
upon  the  ftream  below  :  the  wolf  qucflions  arid 
quarrels  the  lamb  for -corrupting  and  defiling  the 
waters  :  the  lamb  (not  dai  ing  to  plead  how  cafily 
the  wolf  driukir.g  higher  Diight  transfer  defile- 
ment downward,    but)   pleads   im.probabiiity  and 

impoffibiUtyy 


[i68i]      IN    NEW-ENGLAND.      501 

inipolllbility,  that  the  waters  defcending  could 
convey  deiiiemcnt  upwards  :  this  is  the  contro- 
verfy,  this  the  plea  .*  but  who  Ihall  judge  ?  Be 
the  iamb  never  ib  innocent,  his  plea  never  fo  juft, 
his  advcrfary  the  wolf,  will  be  his  judge,  and 
being  fo  cruel  and  fo  ftrong,  foon  tears  the  lamb 
in  pieces.  Thus  the  cruel  heaji^  armed  with  the 
^ower  of  the  kings.  Rev.  17,  fitsjudg^  in  his  own 
quarrels  :g.'.in(i;  the  lamb,  about  the  drinking  at 
the  walCio.  And  thus  (faith  Mr.  Cotton)  the 
judgment  ought  to  paf^  upon  tht:-  heretic,  not  for 
matter  of  conicience  but  for  linning  againft  his 
eonfcience."    . 

"  Objf.ction,  mcthinks  I  hear,  the  great  charge 
againfc  the  independent  party  to  be  great  pleaders 
for  liberty  of  eonfcience,  &c.  Anfwer,  oh  the  hor- 
rible deceit  of  the  hearts  of  the  fons  of  men  !  And, 
what  excellent  phyiick  can.  we  prefcribe  to  others, 
till,  as  Job  fdid,  our  foul  comes  to  be  in  their  fouls 
cafes  .''  What  need  have  we  to  be  more  vile,  with 
Job,  before  God,  to  walk  in  a  holy  fenfe  of  felf- 
infuiSciency,  to  cry  for  the  blcSed  leadings  of 
the  holy  fpirit  of  God,  to  guide  and  lead  our  btads 
and  hearts  uprightly  P  He  then  goes  on  to  fhcw, 
that  each  of  thei'e  denominations  had  been  fjf- 
ferers  in  their  turns,  and  when  fo  had  always 
complalucd  of  it,  and  pleaded  for  liberty  to  their 
own  confci  'uce;*  ;  and  then  fiiys,  "  New-England 
laws,  lately  publiihed  in  VLw  Clarke's  uarrative, 
tell  hoTJ  free  it  ifiiil  be  for  pf:'ople  together  thcm- 
felvcs  into  church -xittate,  h.o^'^  free  to  chdofe  their" 
owiimlnifters,  haw  free  to  eajoy  all  the  ordinances 
of  Chrift  :  hwt  yet,  provided  (\o  and  fo)  ui^on  the 
point,  that  the  civ  Ifatf  mud  judge  Qi' the fpiritnal, 
to  wit,  v/hether  perfons  be  fit  for  church-eiUtc, 
"whether  the  gath«ing  be  right,  whether  the  peo- 
ple's 


502     HTSTO  R  T  OF  the  BAPTISTS 

pie's  choice  be  right,  doctiihes  rrgh^,  and  wh^l  15 
this  in  truth,  but  to  fwcar  that  biajphemcm  cato  of 
fupremacy  2.^i^\n,  tp  the  king's  and  queen's  and 
"magiltrates  pf  this  and  other  nations,  in  ft  cad  of 
the  pope  !  Into  thefc  pijipns  and  cages,  do  thofe, 
ptherwifc  excellent  men,  the  independents,  put 
the  cUJdren  yt  God,  and  all  the  children  of  men, 
2nd  then  bid  theoi  fly  Jjnd  walk  at  liberty  (to  wit 
wi'-hin  the  conjured  circle^  (o  far  as  they  plcaic."  * 

Toward  the  clofc  of  this  year  Mr.  Miles  came 
5.gaia  and  miniilered'  a  while  to  his  brethren  in 
Bofton.     iVnd  Mp,  Sprague,  who  in  thofe  timcg 
joined  to    the   baptilt  cii^^^^'h  in  Providence,   ii^ 
writing  to  the  Mallachiiietts    many  years  afters 
fay  a,   "  Why  do  ypu  ftriv<2  to  perfuadc  the  rifing 
generation,  that  you  never  perfccuted   nor  hurt 
the  baptif?-3,  which  is  fp  apparantly  falfe  ? — Did 
you  not  barbarouily   fcourge  Mr.  Baker  in  Cam- 
bridge, the  chief  nia^e  qf  a  London  fliip  ?  where 
alfo  you  impriloned  Mr.    Thomas  Gould,    Joht^ 
iR-uflell  and  Benja.'vn  Sweetfer,.and  many  pthers, 
and  lined  them  50!.  a  man.— And  did  you   not 
Ti*il  up  the  baptiil  meettng-houfc  doors,  and  fine 
iVIr.  John  Miles,   Mr.  James   Brown  and  Mr.  Ni- 
chohs  Tanner  r'^  &:c.  "  i   JFiod  alfp  that  a  number 
pf  people   from  Kittery   on  Pifcataqua  river,  iu 
the  province  of  Maine,  werp  baptized  this  year, 
and   in  tlie  beginning  pf  the  n&jit  fent  their  moft 
gifted  brother  to  Bolton  with  a  letter  of  recom- 
xr.endation  and  rcqueft  ;  in  cpnfcqucrice  of  which 
the  church   there   wrote  thus  on  Jan.    11,  1682. 
"  To  all  whom  it  may  concern  ;  thefe  are  to  cer- 
tify, that  our  beloved  brother  William  bcrcven  i^ 
a  member  in  communion   with  us,,    and  having 
kad   trial  pf  his    gifts    among  us,   and  fir  ding 

f.  ^eply  to  Cotton,  p.  3 1 5 — 3 1 8, 


[7.677]      iN    NEW-ENGLAitD.      50J 

Hm  to  be  a  man  whom  God  hath  qiiylified 
and  fiurnifhcd  with  the  gifts  of  his  holy  fptrit 
and  grace,  enabling  him  to  open  and  apply  the 
word  cf  God,  which  through  the  blelling  ot  the 
Lord  Jcfus  may  be  ufeful  in  his  hand  for  the  be- 
gcting  and  building  up  of  fouis  in  the  kdo\VK:dgc 
of  God,  do  thercfc'rc  appoint,  approve  and  en- 
courage him,  to  exeicire  his  giu  in  the  place, 
■where  he  lives,  .or  elfewhei'c  as  the  providence  of 
God  may  caft  him  ;  and  lb  the  Lord  he';!)  him  td 
^ye  his  glory  in  all  things,  and  to  walk  liumbiy 
in  th^=  fear  of  hi*  niuiie. 

Signed  by  lis  iii  behalf  oftfiefefl:.    , 

liaac    HuU, 
,  .        John  Faraum."  i 

But  no  fodncr  wais  this  defign  heard  of  in  thelf' 
{own,    than   Mr.   Woodbridgc  the  miniiler,  and 
Huckc  the  magiftrate  began  tb  bellir  themfelves^ 
tmd  not  only  fpread  the  llaiidefs  we  have  heard  (d 
much  of  ag'ainft   the  bapti!>s  at  Bollon,   but  the 
magiftrate  repeatedly  fnmmoned  thofe  people  be- 
fore him   who  had  been  to' the  baptiil  me^tingSy 
and  threatened    them  \vith  a  fine  of  five  fhillings' 
for  every  fuch  offence  for  the  future.     On  Jan  23, 
he  convcnted  Humphrey  Churchwood,  a  baptiEed 
iiicm'ber  of  Boflon  church,  before  1  im,  where  waa?^ 
the  faid  minifter,  who  after  cafting  thofe  old  iko'  ies' 
tiporl  him,  faid,  "  Behold  your  great  doclcr,  Mr; 
Miles  of  Swanzey,for  he  ftow  leaves  his  proftfiiori 
and  is  come  aWay,    and  will  not  teach,  h^s  people' 
any  more,   becaufe  h'e   is  like  to  perilh  for  v.ant, 
and  his  gathered  church  and  people  will  not  help 
him."     Church  vvood  told  thr  m  it  was  a  great  un- 
truth ;    and  dhc<5tly   wrote  to   B.^ftoh   upon    it, 
which  letter  is  r^oW  before  m'e.     Several  (jthcfs 
froni  tlut  place  were  baptized  ioon  after,   but  to 


564      HISTORY  or  tnt.  JSAPTI5TS 

hinder  their  proceedings,  their  general  court  took 
the  matter  in  hand  as  follows,  viz. 

*•  William  SciEVEN,  appearing  before  this 
court,  and  being  convicted  of  the  contempt  of"  his 
majefty's  authority,  and  rcfufing  to  fubmit  him* 
felt  to  the  ientence  of  the  court,  plohibiting  his 
public  preaching,  and  upon  examination  before 
the  court,  declaring  his  refolution  Hill  to  perfifl 
therein,  the  court  tendered  him  liberty  to  return 
home  to  his  family,  in  cafe  he  would  forbear  fuch 
turbulent  practices  and  amend  for  the  future ;  but 
he  rcfufmg,  the  court  fentanced  him  to  give  bond 
for  his  good  behaviour,  and  to  forbear  fuch  con- 
tentious behavioirr  for  the  future,  and  the  delin- 
quent to  ftand  committed  until!  the  judgment  of 
this   court  be   fulfilled. 

Vera  ccp'ia,  tranfcribed,  andicith  the  records  covt' 
fared  this  1 7  tb  of  Augujl^    1682. 

per  Edward  Rishworth,  recorder." 
To  this  is  added  a  copy  of  the  fame  date  by  the 
fame  hand,  of  an  act  of  their  executive  court 
which  fays,  "  This  court  having  confidercd  the 
ofTeniive  fpceches  of  William  Screven,  viz.  his 
rafli  and  inconfiderate  words  tending  to  hlafphe- 
my  do  adjudge  the  delinquent,  for  his  offence  to 
pay  ten  pounds  into  the  trealury  of  the  county 
or  province.  And  further,  the  court  doth  forbid 
and  difcharge  the  faid  Screven,  under  any  pre- 
tence, to  keep  any  private  exercife  at  his  own 
houfe  or  elsewhere,  upon  the  Lord/s-days,  either 
in  Kittery  or  any  other  place  withm  the  limits  of 
this  province,  and  is  for  the  future  enjoined  to 
obferve  the  public  worfnlp  of  God  in  our  public 
aifembhes  upon  the  Lord's-days,  according  to  the 
Jaws  here  eftabliflied  in  this  province,  upon  fuch 
pci:*ilti«s  as  the  iaw  r«quix«  upon  fuch  neglect  of 

•      the 


[i6Si]       IH    NEW-ENGLAND,      505 

the  premifes.'"'  But  hs  was  To  far  from  yielding 
to  fuch  fentencCvS,  that  on  6c^t.  13,  he  with  the 
rclt  lent  a-  requeil  to  Boftou  ihat  elder  Hull  and 
others  might  vilit  and  form  them  into  a  church, 
which  was  granted,  fo  that  a  covenant  was  fo- 
lemnly  iigned  on  Sept.  z^,  1682,  by  Wiiliaiu 
Screven,  elder,  Humphrey  Chlirchwood,  deacon, 
Robert  Williaais,  John  ivlorgcindy,  Richard  Cutt, 
Timothy  Davis,  Leonard  Dyovv-n,  Wihiam  Adams, 
Humphrey  Azell,  and  George  Litten,  and  a  num- 
l)er  of  liilersi  A  baptifl  church  was  aUb  formed 
this  year  frorti  that  of  Boftonj  at  Newbury,  by 
William  and  John  Sayer,  Benjamin  Mode,  Ed- 
\vard  Woodman  and  others,  t()  whoni  I  find  cider 
Hull  and  elder  Emblen  writing  asJ  a  filler  church, 
on  March  25^  ^689  ;  though  hoW  rhuch  longer 
they  continued  a  ditlin'cl  church  1  do  not  nhd, 

Mr.  Philip  Edes",  a  nleniber  bf  the  firft"  Klptift 
church  in  Newport,  died  this  y'e^r  On  March,  i6> 
of  whom  Mr.  Samiicl  Hubbard  fays  in  a  letter  to 
governor  Lcete,  '•  This  friend  of  yours  and  mine;» 
one  in.  office  in  Oliver's  houle,  was  for  liberty 
of  confciencc  ;  a  merchant,  a  preciour,  man,  of  i 
holy  life  and  eonverfition,  beloVed  of  all  forts  o£ 
men,  his  death  tnuch  bewailed  by  all."  Mr. 
Thonrias  Dlcny,  fenior,  alfo  died  this  year^  Hq 
Wis  next  to  Mr.  Williams  in  the  paftoral  otilce  at 
Provideri'ce,  and  continued  fo  to  his  death,  over 
that  part  of  the  church  who  were  called  five  prin- 
cipal baptiits,  in  diftiriction  frotii  thofe  who  part- 
ed from  their  brethren  aboiij:  the  yicair  16153,  un^. 
der  the  leading  of  elder  Wiekenden,  Iidlding  to* 
the  laying  on  of  bands  lipori  every  church  itieriiberi 
The  greateft  fault  that  I  find  Mr.  Glney  charged 
with  is,  that  he  was  fdr  extending  the  firil  deed 
§f  Providence  Up  to  the  head  of  the  two  great 
T  t  6  rivers 


5"^      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

tivers   it   lay  between,  or   at  leaft  as  far  as  their 
charter  rcacJietl,  from  the.  words  -without  limits^  in 
p.  ^  90.     In   this    he    was   oppofcd  by  our  elders, 
Wickendcn   and  Dexter,    the  latter  of  whom  in- 
forms  us  that  Mr.  \yilliams  iaid,    the  only  intent 
of  the  exprefiion  was  to  prevent  tlie  Indians  hurt- 
ing their   ca.tle  if  they   wandered   far   into  the 
tvoods.     Their  writing,^  oil  both  fides  are  yet  ex- 
tant in  their  town-clerks  oiiiee.     They  tell  meat 
Swanzey  that  elder  Miles  permitted  Mr.  Brown's 
Avife,  who  was   not  a  baptiil,   to  commune  with 
their  church,   till  by  elder  Olney's  influence  flie 
^vas  difmilH^d    to  Mr.  Angicr's  church  in  Keho- 
both.     It  is  very  evident  that  Mr.    OIney  was  3 
capable  and  very  iifeful  man,   both  in  church  and 
Hate  for  forty-four  years  after   he  left  the  Maffa- 
chuletts  ;  as  his  fori  alfo  was  for  many  years;  and 
hia  pofterity  arc  refpeclable  in  that  town  and  fiate 
to  this  day.     Mr.-    Holmes,    of  whom  much  has 
been  faid,  who  wrote  the  account  of  himfclf  in, 
16-75,  t^^at  you  have  p.  208—212,  ■i.c^C^,  &c.  and 
Tiicceeded   Mr.    Clarke   in  the  palloral    ofilcc  at 
Newport,  died  there  Oclober  15,  1^82,  aged  76. 
3^Ie  has  a  large  pofccrity  bov/  remaining  in  New- 
England  and  New-Jerfey. 

The  learned  and  pious  Mr.  MileB  having  return- 
ed to  his  flnck  in  Swanzey,  fell  aflcep  in'jefus  on 
•^'^^- 3-^ '^Sj  5  ^^d  his  memory  is  Hill  precious 
amonglis.  We  are  told  that  being  once  broughtf 
before  the  magiftrates  he  requeued  a  bible,  and 
upon  obtaining  it  he  turned  to  thufe  words,  ^-e- 
fioiddfa-f^  JV'/jy  j)er/ecufe  ice  httn^fedng  the  rsot  of  the 
nuitfcr  is  found  m  me.  Job  19,  28.  which  having 
read  he  Cit  down  ;  and  the  word  had  a  good  effcc't 
upon  their  minds,  a:nd  moved  tlicm.  to  treat  hini 
^ith  moderation  if  not  kindnsfs.     His  fon  wenii, 

back 


t;i683]       IN   NEW. ENGLAND.       507 

back  to  England,   and  his  grandfon  Mr.  Samuel 
Miles  was  an  epiicopal  nii.iiiter  at  our  Bollon  in 

1724.  Though  Mr.  Willard  and  the  Magnalia 
from  him,  acculed  the  baptifts  oi  Botion,  ot  ie- 
pirating  becaule  they  wanted  to  be  tcaciiers,  yet 
that  was  ib  far  from  truth,  that  on  June  27,  168  1 , 
they  wrote  to  London  for  a  miniltcr,  giving  this 
as  one  reafon  for  it  that,  "  our  miniiter  is  very 
aged  and  feeble,  and  often  incapable  of  his  mini- 
ileriai  work  ;"  and  as  another  motive  they  fay, 
*'  We  conceive  there  is  a  profpeft  of  good  encou- 
Faginent  for  an  able  man  to  come  over,  in  that 
there  feems  to  be  an  apparanc  and  gcner,al  apo^'^i  acy 
among  the  churches  who  have  profeflcd  them- 
ielves  congregational  in  this  land  ;  whereby 
many  have  their  eyes  opened,  by  leeing  the  de- 
clention  and  confulion  that  is  among  chem."  A 
kind  anfwer  hereto  w^as^tured  by  eleven  bap- 
till  minders,  which  is  before  me. 

And  now  as  fom.eiingular  and  curious  things  are 
generally  expt cled  from  a  new  country,  I  fhall  re* 
late  the  doling  part  of  one  of  the  greateii  curiofities 
I  have  met  with  in  modern  hiftory  ;  the  fum 
whereof  is  this.  A  large  number  of  people  fled 
out  of  the  old  world  into  this  wildernels  tor  reli- 
gious liberty  ;  but  had  not  been  here  long  before 
fome  put  in  high  claims  for  power,  under  the 
name  of  orthodoxy  ji^to  whom  others  made  fierce 
oppofition  profeffedly  from  the  light  within  ;  and 
their  clafliings  wcrefo  great  that  levcral  lives  were 
loft  in  the  fray.  This  made  a  terrible  noife  on 
the  other  fide  of  the  water.  But  as  feif  de^'ence  is 
a  natural  principal,  each  party  wrote  volume  after 
volume  to  clear  themfelves  from  blame  ;  and  they 
both  confpired  to  caft  a  great  part  of  it  upon  one 
^^alar  man,   whom  they  caikd  a  weather- cock. 


jo$       HTSTOKY  oy  the  BAPTISTS 

and  a  Wind-mil],  Now  let  the  curious  find  out 
iF  they  can,  Fiilt,  how  men  oF  univerfity-learnmg, 
or  of  divine  ialpiration,  came  to  write  great  vo- 
^ames  agaiiiPt  a  v/md  mil!  and  a  weatlicr-cock  ?- 
Secondly,  how  Tuch  a  ftrange  creature  came  to  be 
^1  ovcr-:iutcti  i\)v  tiitm  aU,  and  to  cairy  his  point 
ggaliUt  the  arts  of  prieil-cratt,  the  intrigues  of 
Ccrai  t,  ^h?  flights  of  enthuleafm  and  tlie  power  of 
factions,  fo  as  atter  he  had  pulled  down  ruin  upon, 
hinifelrand  his  friends,  yet  to  be  able,  in  themidfl 
ot  ijeathen  iavigc:-;,  to  erect  the  bcit  toiT:i  of  civil. 
gnvernrp,ent  that  the  world  had  ffcn  in  i6oo  years? 
1  hirdly,  how  he  4iid  his  ruined  li-icnds  can^  to. 
lie  under  th(>re  reproaches  for  a  hu.ncircd  years, 
^qd  yet  that  their  plan  Ihoiild  then  be  adopted  by 
thirteen  colonics,  tp  wiioni  thefe  difpifcd  people 
CQUld  afford  Sen /VTORs  of  principal  n^-tc,  as  well 
as  CoMNf  ANp,R,Rs  by  fca  and  land  ?  'I'he  excellency 
qf  this  fcene  above  thoTi^vhich  m.iny  arebe^ifch- 
ed  with,  confilfs  in  its  Weing  founded  upon  facf^ 
and  not  fii^ons  ;  being  not  the  creature  ol'  dif- 
tempered  brains,  but  pf  aa  unerring  Pro., 
Vidence. 

^ccoiiD^NG  to  Mr.  Williams's  own  teftimony, 
(p.  14'^)  his  foul  was  renewed  by  divine  grace 
•when  he  was  not  rnore  than  ten.  or  twelve  years 
<f)!d.  And  the  myftery  of  his  being  i^j^idly  fet  iu 
his  v/ay,  and  yet^n'^^  to  change^  is  to  be  ej;plain- 
cd  thus.  Neither  frowns  nor  flatteries  could 
inove  him  to  part  v/ith  v.'hat  he  judged  to  be 
truth,  or  to  affcnt  to  any  thing  contrary  thereto. 
As  he  ftrupied  the  cxadnefs  qF  the  kalcndcr  then 
Jn  ufe,  i'u  he  difcayer^d  it  in  all  his.  dates.  Even 
when  dedicating  his  quaker  difpute  to  the  King, 
^  he  dated  ;t  March  io,  i6yi,  3,  [ut  riii^c.)  On  tlie 
«ther  i^aud  \\q  was   ever  ready   to  change,  whei^ 


fiCSjl    IN   NEW-ENG  L  AND.      5^5 

#        . 

he  could  obtiin   light   for   it  from   any   quarter. 
While  he  miuiftered  to  his  brethren  at  Plymouth, 
he   ohjedcd  againit   their  cuftom  or  giviag  their 
neighboars   the  tittle  of  goodman^  it  they  were  not; 
judged  to   be  godly  perfons.      When  governor 
Winthrop  paid  them  a  vifit  in  1632,  (p,  s6,)a!i4 
his  advic^  was  aiked  upon  it,  he  (hewed  them  that- 
they  ought  to  ditHnguith  betwixt  theological  anj 
niorai  g)odne{s,  and  obferved  that  when  trials  by 
jury  was  Erft  introduced  in  England,  after  the 
iiames  oF  fit  perfons  for  the  purpofe  were  calie4 
over,    the  crier  called  them   to  attend,  good  men 
and  true,     from    wlience   proceeded   the  cuflom 
then  in  queilion  ;  and  he  thought  ic  a  pity   to 
make  a  llii  about  a  cuftoni   fq  innocently  intro- 
dnced.  *  Mr.   V/ilUams  readily  embraced  this  ad- 
vice,   and  made  a  very  good  ufe  of  it  after ward^ 
in  expoling  the  mifchiefs   that  arofe  from  a  con- 
founding of  thofc  two  forts  of  goodnefs  together, 
^s  Mr.  Cotton  9,nd  many  others  had  done..     And 
becaufe    he  was    e4rnci'tly   looking    f^*r   a  better 
church- eft abiiilin^ent  than  he  had  then  feen,  they 
impoled  tl"\e  name  affceker  upon  him.     The  ^^Teat 
Mr.  Baxter  calls  him  The  father  of  the  feekers  in 
Lon.hn.  I     Xyheri  he    went  there  in    1643,   and 
pubiiilied  his  teftimony  againft  the  bloody  tenet, 
Mr.  C)tton,- among  other  reflections  faid,  "  Thus 
men  that  have  ti:ne  and  leifure  at  will,  will  fet  up 
images  of  clouts,  and  then  Hioot  at  them.'^'  J     In 
anfwer  to    which  Mr.  Williams  appealed    to   the 
people  of  Plymouth,  Salem  and  Providence,  that 
Jie  had  not  lead  fuch  a  life  in  this  country  ;    and 
j^s  to  the  other  he  fays,  "  I  can  tell  that  when 

thef^ 

*  Mqgnalia,  b.  2,  p.  14. 
•f-  Crofby,  vol.  >.  p.  n8o 
\  Tenet  walhi^d,  p.  31. 


pa      HISTORY  OF  T^HE  BAPTISTS 

thefe  dircuflions  were  prepared  for  the  public  in 
London,  his  time  W4b  eaten  up  in  attendance  upon 
the  icryice  of  the  parHamcnt  and  city,  for  the 
fupply  Of  the  poor  of  the  city  with  wood,  during 
the  ftop  of  coal  from  Newcatile,  and  the  mutinies 
qf  the  poqr  for  firting—  thefe  meditations  were 
fitted  for  pubUc  view  in  change  of  rooms  and  cor^ 
ners,  yea, in  a  variety  of  ftrang-e  houfes,  fom-times 
iin  the  fields  in  the  midit  of  travel  j-- ^for  which 
^crvice,  through  the  hurry  of  the  times,  and  the 
•jiecefiity  o^  his  departure  he  loft  his  rccompence  to 
this  day-— Well,  notwithftanding  I'nalfer  Cotton's 
l)it,ter  cenfure,  fome  perfons  of  no  contemptabl^ 
note  nor  intelligence,  have  by  letters  from  Efig- 
|and,  infornped  the  difcuiier,  that  by  thele  imager 
tf  clouts  it  hath  pleafed  Qod  to  ftop  no  fmall  leaks 
tf  perf^cutlcn,  that  lately  began  to  flow  in  upon 
diJI'entlng  confciences^  and,  among  others,  to  mailer 
Cotton's  own,  and  to  the  peace  and  quietnefs  of 
the  indepei-y^ants,  which  they  have  fo  long,  and 
fp  wonderfully  enjoyed."*  See  p.  155,  174, 
175,  187,  &c.  ^  ^ 

Amd  as  to  his  later  fcrvices,  he  was  fo  far  from 
being  nic-inly  hired,  as  they  {■A\6,.for  apiece  of  bread, 
to  wiite  again  11  the  quakqrs,  that  ^fter  h^  had 
done  it,  he  wrote  thus  to  Newport.  *'  My  dear 
friend  Samuel  Hubbard,  to  yourfelf  and  aged 
companion  my  loying  refpccls  in  the  Lord  Jelus, 
who  ought  to  he  our  hope  of  glory,  begun  in  this 
life  and  enjoyed  to  all  eternjty.  I  have  herein 
returned  your  little,  yet  great,  remembrance  of 
the  hand  of  the  Lord  to  yourfelf  and  your  fon 
late  departed.  I  praife  the  Lord  for  your  humble 
|;:ifiing'of  his  holy  rod,  and  acknowledging  his  juft 
|ind  righteous,    together  with  his  gracious  an4 

jiiereifui 

5  j^eply  toCottOH;  p.  38. 


[16S3]    inNEW-e:^  G  L  An  D-     sit 

tncrciful  difpenfation  to  you.     I  rejoice  alfo  to  read 
■your  heavenly  deiires  and   endeavours,  that  yotir 
trials  may  be   gain  to   your  own  ibuls,    and   thfc 
fouls  Ot"  the  yol^th  ot  the  place,  and  aH  of  us.-  You 
arc  not  unwilling   I  judge  that  1  deal  plainly  and 
friendly  \tdth  you  — Alter  all  that  I  have  lecn  and 
tead  and  compared  about  the  feVenth   day  (and  I 
have  earneftly  and  carefully  read  and  weighed  ail 
1  could  come  at  in  Gods  holyprefence.)    I  can- 
not b?  removed  from  Calvin's  mind,    and  indeed 
Paul's   mind,    Col.    2.    that   all  thofe  fabbaths  ot 
feven  darys  were  figures,  types  and  Ihadows,  and 
forerunners  of  the  Son   of  God,    and   that   the 
change  is  made  from  the  reraembraue^  of  the  firft 
creation,  and  that  (figurative)    left  on  the  feven th 
day,  to  the  remembrance  of  the  fccond  creation  on 
the  firft,  on  which  our  Lord  arofe  conquerer  frcra 
the  dead-     Accordingly    1  have  read  many,   but 
fee  no  fatisfying  anfvvcr  to  thofe  three  fcriptures 
chiefly  Ads  20,   i  Cor.  i6.'   Rev.  1,  in  confcience: 
to  which  I  make  fome  poor  confcience  to  God  as 
to   the  refl:  day. — As  for  thoughts  for  England,  I 
humbly  hope  the  Lord  hath  hewed  me  to  wiite  a 
large   narrative  of  all  thofe  four  days  agitation  be- 
tween  the  quakcrs  and  myfelf :  if  it  pleafe  God  I 
cannot  get    it   printed  in    New-England,    I  have 
great  thoughts  and  purpofes  for  old.-^Mine  age^ 
iamenefs   2Lnd   many  other  weaknefTes,    and   the 
dreadful  hand   of  God  at  fea,    calls  for  deep  con- 
fideration.     What  God  may  pleafe  to  bring  forth 
in   the   fpring    his  holy    wiidom   knows.      If  he 
pleafe  to  bring  to  an  abfolute  purpofe  I  will  fend 
yotf  word,  and  my  dear  friend  Obediah  Holmes, 
who  fertt  me  a  mefiage  to   the  fame  purpof::-.     At 
prefent   I  pray  falute  rcfpecfivly  Mr.  John  Clarke' 
and  his  brothers,  Mr.   Tory,  Mr.  Edes,    Edward 

Soiith, 


512      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

Sm'th,  '^'  iDiam  Hifcox,  Stephen  Mumfofd  and 
ociijr  friends,  whole  [.leierval  ion, of  the  iiiand,  and 
thi>  counTy,  1  humbly  beg  of  (he  fiithci  oi  iiier- 
i,ic^,  ill  whom  I  am  yours  Uhwoithy; 

R.  W." 
I:  the  reiJcr  revicH's  Dr.  Chambers iiin's  firfl: 
letter,  and  is  informed  that  he  vl^ith  his  brethren 
he  vvroce  to,  took  the  whole  of  the  ten  cunii 
niendnirits  to  be  moral  and  immutable;  and  held 
thiv  it  uMs  the  little  iiorn  that  cbatigedtbe  time  from 
the  feventh  to  the  lirft  day  :  but  that  Mr.  Olney 
SMd  his  church  obferved  to  their  brethren,  thai 
Pdul  I'pciks  of  1  ^(^:bry  tu'vc/J  ivas  dons  aivay  thatt 
Was  tvrifidi  and  e  i^uven  'jiftmes:^  2  C'or.  2)-^  7>  com- 
pared vvith  this  letter,  he  will  thtn  have  a  plain 
idea  of  t  s  nature  of  thit  eontroverfy  on  both 
jfides,  a^  it  was  manaf^ed  in  that  day;  And  to  i^d 
on  ;  it  is  to  be  renumbered^  that  fome  pcrfons 
in  different  p.irts  of  that  colony  had  fuch  a  conceit 
of  liberty,  as  that  ofiiccrs  Qiould  manage  the  go- 
vernment witl-ouf'-any  reward  fr(ui;l  them  ;  by 
Which  itieans  Mr.  Clarke  received  btlt  part  of  his 
pay  for  orocui  ing-  thei'-  cha?  ter  iis  long  ashe  lived ; 
a,nd  occalioned  a  icnionitrance  from  \\h  executolrs 
to  the  affenribly  upon  it  foon  after  his  death. 
And  a  chiifc  from  Mr.  Williams  upon  it.  I  have 
alreidy  recited  ;  to  which  i  uow  add  the  follow- 
ing, in  Align!]:  1678,  he  was  appointed  to  allill: 
Mr.  Daniel  Abbot  in  fetting  their  towii  records 
in  order,  the  litter  being  then  chofen  their  clerk. 
Three  years  after  Mr.  VVilliants  wrote  toi  hiin 
thus.  "  My  good  friend,  loving  reiiicmbrarfbe 
to  you.  It  hath  pleafed  the  Moll:  Iligli  and  025 1 y 
wife,  to  ftii'  up  yoiir  fpirit  to  be  one  of  the  chief- 
eft  flakes  in  our  poor  hedge.  I  therefore,  not  be- 
ing well  able  to  come  to  you,  prei'cat  you  with  a 

few 


tN   NEVV-ENCLANT),       513 

few  thoughts   about  the  great  ftumbllnf;  Wotk, 
to  them   that  are  uilling  to  itumble    and  tsoiibld 
themlclvcs    our   rites.     James    Matifon   had  one 
copy  of  me,  and   Ihomas  Arnold  ancthcr.     'I  his 
1  fend  to  yourreh^iad  the   town  (tor  it  may   bo  I 
fliAil  not  be  able  to  be  at  mectljag)     i  am  grkvcci 
that  you  do    fo  much  fervice   for  fo  bad  rtcoin- 
pence  ;    but  I -am  pcrfuaded  you  fhall  iind  can  is 
to.  fay,  the  Moft  High'  God  ot  r^compence,   who 
Was  Abraham^s  great  reward;,  hatli  paid   me. 
Conftderdtions  prefented,  touching  rares, 
^'   i    Government  and  order  in  families,  rowns.^ 
^c.  h  the  ordinance  of  the  Mofl  High,  Ron-    13^ 
for  the  peace  and  good  of  mankind^     2,.  Six  th.ingij 
gre  written  in  the  hearts  of  all  mankind,  yea,  CAc-rii 
in  Pagans*      ifb.  That  there  is  a  Deity.     2d.  'i  hit 
fome  aclions  are  naught.  3d.  ThaC  the  Deity  will 
ipunidi.     4th.  That    there   is  another   life.     5th, 
That  mafria'j:e  IS  honorable.     6th.   That  mankind 
cannot  keep  together  withc.iut  fome   goveri.nicnt. 
3  There  is  no  Englifhman  in  his   liiajefiy's  don.i- 
nions.  Of  elfwhcre,  who  is  not  forced  to-  fu  bin  it? 
to,«;overnment.     4.  There  is  not  a  man    la    tnc 
world,  except  robbers,  pirates  and  rebels,  but  doth 
lubmit  to  government.     5.  Even  robber.'^,  pivares 
and  rebels  themfelves.  Cannot  hold    toq:ethcr    bu6 
by  fome  law  among  themfelves,  and  government. 
6.     Oae  of   thefe   two   grc?it    laws  in  the    vvorid 
ir.uft  prevail,  either  that  of  judges  and  jUttices   o£ 
peace  in  courts  of  peace,  or  the  law  of  arms,  ths 
fword  and  blood.     7.  If  it  comes  from  the  courts 
of  trials  in  peace,  to  thp   trhl  ot  the   f\Vord    an.d 
blood,  the  conquered  is  forced- to  fcek  law  and, 
government.     8,   Till  matters   come  to   a  fettled 
government  no  man  is  ordinarily  fure  of  liis  houlc, 
goads,  Iaad;s,  cattle;  wife,   children   or    lif-e.     g, 
li  u  ii  liuiiGfi 


5U      HISTORY  OT  the  BAPTISTS 

Hence  is  that  ancient  maxim,  It  is  better  to  live 
under  a  tyrant  in  peace^  than  under  the  /wordy  or 
tvbeie  every  man  is  a  tyrant-  lo  His  majcfty  fends 
governors  to  Barbados,  Virginia,  Sec.  but  to  us 
lie  iliews  greater  favor  in  our  charter,  to  choofe 
whom  we  pieafc.  1 1.  No  charters  are  obtained 
without  great  fuit,  favour  or  charges.  Our  firft 
coft  an  hundred  pounds  (though  I  never  received 
it  all)  our  fecond  about  a  thoufand,  Conneclicufc 
about  fix  thoufand.  Sec.  i2.  No  government  is 
maintained  without  tribute,  cuftom,  rates,  taxes, 
Ike.  15.  Our  charter  excells  all  in  Ncw-Kiiglai;d, 
GV  in  theworid^  as  to  th^f-ids  cf  men.  14.  It  pleaf- 
.cth  God,  Rom.  ,13,  to  command  tribute,  cuttom 
and  confequently  rates,  not  only  for  fear,  but  for 
confcienee  fak^.  15.'  Our  rates  are  theleaft  by  far 
of  any  colony  in  New-England  16.  There  is  no 
man  that  hath  a  vote  in  town  or  colony,  but  he 
Jjath  a  ha?id  in  tnakeing  the  rates  by  hijnfelfcr  his  de- 
puties. 17.  In  our  colony  the  general  alTcmbly, 
governor,  magiflrates,  deputies,  towns,  town- 
clerks,  raters,  conftables,  &c.  have  done  their  du- 
ties, the  failing  lies  upon  particular  perfons.  18. 
It  is  but  folly  to  rcfift,  (one  or  more,  and  if  one 
why  not  more  ?)  God  hath  ftirred  up  the  fpirig 
of  the  governor,  magiftrates  and  officers,  driven 
to  it  by  neccffity,  to  be  unanlmoufly  refolved  to 
i£e  the  matter  finiflied  ;  and  it  is  the  duty  of  eve- 
ry man  to  maintain,  encoupage  and  (Irengthen 
the  hand  of  authority.  19.  Black  clouds  (fome 
years)  have  hung  over  Old  and  New-England 
iicads.  God  hath  been  wonderfully  patient  and 
long'-fuffering  to  us  ;  but  who  fees  not  changes 
and  calamities  hanging  over  us?  20.  All  men. 
lor  that  this  blazing  herauJd  from  heaven   da* 


[1683]      IN   NEW.ENGLAND.      515 

nounccth  from  the  Pvloft  High,  wars,  pcftllence, 
famiiics  :  is  it  not  then  our  wifdom  to  make  and 
keep  peace  with  God  and  man  ? 

OTour  old  unworthy  fervant^ 

Roger   Williams.*'* 
Providence  i5thjan.  1680,1  (fo  called) 
The  lart:  act  that  I   have   found    upon   record, 
performed  by  this  eminent   peacemaker,  was  on 
January  16,  1683,  when  he,  with  Mr.  Carpenter, 
and  the  heirs  or  afftgns  of  the  other  eleven    origi- 
nal propiietors,  figned  %  full   fettlcment   of  the 
long-continued  controverfy  aboutPawtu.xet  lai-ds. 
On  the  loth  of  May  following  Mr.  John  1  horton, 
wrote  to  Mr.  Hubl3ard  and  laid,   '-  Dear  brother, 
you  gave  me  an  account  of  the  death  of  divers  of 
our  aocient  friends  ;  fmcc  that  time  the  Lord  hath 
arrcilcd  by  death  our  ancient  and  approved  friend 
Mr.  Roger  Williams,  with  divers  others   here. 
The  good  Lord  grant  that  we  may  be  Itirred  up, 
with  the  wife  virgins,  to  be  triming  our  lam.ps, 
and  getting   them   full  of  the   fphitual  oil,    and 
landing  with  wife  Habbakuk  upon   our   watch- 
towers  till  our   appointed  change."     Thus  lived 
and  thus  died  the  firft  baptift  minifter-in   New- 
England,  and  the  firft  founder   and   fupporter  of 
any  truly  free  civil  government  upon  earth,  fines 
the  rife  of  antichrift  ;  "  and  he  was   buried   with 
all  the  folemnity  the  colony  was  able  to  fhew.'*-j- 
This  was  in  the  84th  year  of  his  age,  bcisg   52 
years  after  his  arrival  in  this  country. 

born 

f 

*  Thefc  excellent  obfervatJons  are  ftill  extant  in  his  own  hsnd 
jvriting.  The  laft  article  refers  to  a  remaikiible  blazi  g  ftar  that 
appeared  in  ihofe  times. 

t  Callendar,  p.  ^^.  In  1 686  Mr.  S.  Hubbard  wrote  that 
Mr.  Thornton,  and  Mr.  Jofeph  Clarke,  were  all  that  were  tbfa 
living  who  were  Uptis'^d  in  N.  £.  before  him. 


S'lG      HISTORY  OF  the  BAPTISTS 

His  wife,  wliofc  name  was  Mary,  came  \^^lth: 
l"iiiii  irooi  iLiighind  ;  tluir  clii'tircn  were  i  Ivlaiy,, 
born  at  Piy mouth  the  {irli  week  in  Auguft  1633, 
•2.  Fr(X'bo]a,at  iSalcm  in  October  1635.  3.  Pro* 
,%'iucnct,  born  2t  th^:  place  he  lo  called  in  hepteni-' 
t)eT  46385  iaid  t6  be  the  iirft  Kngliiil  male  boFn 
t..cre-  4.  JVUrcy,  born  July  15,  1640,  5.  Danicl,^ 
Vroin  Feb.  13,  1G42,.  6.  Joieph,  born  in  Dec. 
1043.  'i  he  Uil  of  thefe,  and  a  grandlbii  of  the 
ix-.nc  name,  wf:rc  magiitratcs  in  that  colony  and 
loine  ot  great  knowledge,  compnte  his  prefcnt 
puacriiy  dt  near  2,000,  Thomas  Wardj  Elq;  wha 
Wis  a  baptilt  before  he  came  out  of  Cromwell's 
army,  and  was  ,a  very  useful  man  in  this  goleny^ 
was  anceilor  to  tv/o  late  governors,  and  to  th© 
preicnt  iccretaiy  of  it,  in  the  male  line,  as  Mr. 
V/i.ii;i..is  WIS  ill  the  fenuie  ;  one  of  them  v/as  the 
liijnorable  SAMur.L,  Warp,  Ei'q;  wlio  died  a  n-.cm- 
bcr  oi'  the  Conlineutai  Congrels  at  Fliiladeiphia, 
on  March  26,  177^,  aged  52.  1  he  family  o'  fiop- 
l^iMs  in  Providence,  which  has  afforded  an  hono-?. 
1  able  member  of  that  aCTembly,  and  two  comnian* 
dcrs  for  the  continental  fleet,  delcenc'vd  in  tlie 
ivt.ilc  line  frc^m  iMr.  Thomas  Hopkins,  who  follow^ 
cJ  isir  Williams  from  Plymouth,  and  in  the  fe- 
jivi'e  irom  Mr.  Wjckendcn,  an  eariy  member,  and 
long  a  teacher  of  the  baptift  chuuh  there.  1.  lie 
3\oLt:d  himiiy  of  Bkown,  in  Piovidepcc,  ^pi^nrg- 
irom  Mr,  Ch^id  BroM-n  on  the  one  fide,  and' from 
?^Ir.  Williams  on  the  other.  And  our  gentra}:^, 
G R I.  K N  F.  and  A  r n old,  ff-i  ang  f re  jn  t\\ o  of  the 
Iwelve  firll  proprietors  of  tlioie  lands,  wlijch  wei-e 
given  for  a  pbice  of  refuge  for  luch    as   were  d  1  s- 

TRESS''.D   FOR  CONSCIENCE    SAKE  F.L  SE  WH  l"  RE  ;  and 

i^v^.y  that  grear  dtfign  ntver  be  forgotton  by  us  or 
•.uri!  Som\:havc  boui ready  to  nuke  thofe  religious 

*    Coiiteji;ioi>» 


!?i6S3l 


i>r  NEW-ENGLAND.         ftf 


«K)ntentlons  ard  oppvcillons  an  argument  againft 
all  revealed  religion,  but  it  theyduly  conhder  the  .. 
following  things,  comp:u-ed  with  the  forgoing, 
perlvADs  it  niav  alter  their  minds,  lo  guara  a- 
gaiiill  evil  biilcs  in  our  dealings,  the  great  A  u* 
ttu.R  of  our  religion  laid,  Witb  %vhat  judgment  ye 
iul  e  ^pa'd  be  judged  ;  and  -with  what  meafun  ye 
mete,  it  jhailoe  me^jwed  to  you  agahu  And  was  not 
\i^  word  veri&ed  in  the  jollowmg  inilances  ? 

1     The  ruling  party  in  the  Ivialiachuictts,  had 
nctonly  raked  up  the  real  faults   of  the  baptiiis, 
and  cxDofed  them  in  their  worlt  colours,  but  alio 
llande.ed  them  in_  many  particulars.     And,  now 
Ed.vari  Ruidoiph  went  eiglit  voiages  to  England 
in  nine  years,  and  treated  them  in  the  fame  man- 
ner at  the  Britiili  court,  on  purpofc  to  get  away 
thnr  chirtcr,.*     2.  ly  i  plea  from  the  kings  grant, 
in  that  chir:fr,  they    had  cruelly   oj^nrelled  tl  eir 
brethren  and  neighbours  in,  nrany  mftances  :  now 
in  16S4  the  charter  was  vacated  by  a   decree  .in 
chiuncery,    without  giving  them  opportunity  to 
anfsvcr  for  themrdves  ;   "  and  thofe  who  were  m 
condfedcracy    with  ^Sir  Edmund  Andios,  for  the 
enriching-  themfelves  on  the   fpoils  of   New  Eng- 
land, did  2«wzaVthe  property  as  well  as  liberty  of 
the  fubjecl:  ;    and  gave  out,  that  now   Uiur  char- 
ter w?.*  gone  all  their  lands  were  the  king's  ;  that 
themfelves  did  reprefcnt  the  king,  and    therefore 
.men  that  would  have  any  legal  title  to  their  lands 
muft  take  patents  of  them,  (;n  fuch  terms  as  they 
fhould  fee  mete   to   impofe.     What    people    tha!: 
hadthefpiritsofEngHOimen  could  endure  this  r"| 
-<.    rheir  charter  never  gave   them  any  right    to 
^  eltablifh 

*  M<(r  htft  Vol.  T.r,  320   335,vo!.  3,p.  4So,490.^?- 
t  R  "  j  tion  inN.  E.  j.iUiiitd,  panted  165!;  and  jcprjutea- 


$it     HIS  TOUT  OF  THK  BAPTISTS 

ofdert  dott  r^'  "^.  ^"'?'P  ^y  ^^^^^  ^   ^"^  ^'» 
oraer  to  do  It  they  prclumed   to  leave   the  MorH 

/.y«/out  of  their  oaths,  p.   6i,  63  ;  and   Ipf" -ct 
gave  au  early  ex.mpl^  of  leizing  their  tiMmrs 
property  ,n  that  illegal  way.    a|ainil  the  Sei^ry 
arguments  of  judge  Symonds.    Now  the  feale  was 
turned,   fo  that  an  arbitary  governor  and  counci 
inadc  laws  and  impofed   taxes  upon    all,  without 
^ny  houfe  of  repreientatives  ;  and  for  rdufin.  to 
carry  an  order   or  fueh  a  tax  into    execntion    n 
Ipl^^Ich,  Mr.  John  Wife  a  minifier  who  ipake  iLa 
n  in  their  town-meeting  was  imprlfoned,  and  de- 
fied the  ben  eh  t  of  the    Habus   Corpus  k  ;    ^nd 
when  he  upon  his  trial  plead  the  Magna  Charia 
5ndIawsofY:ngland,hewas   toJd  bv'oneof    he 
judges  th^t  "  he  nmft  not  thii^k  the'jaws  of  En/ 
^nd  tollowed  them  to  the  ends   of  the   earthl 
Mr.  Wife,  you  have  no  more  privilege  left   you 
than  not  to  be  lold  f<.r   flaves  ''     Th!  honoS 
John  AppIctocKfq;  was  treated  in  the  fame  man. 
ner  ;  and  botn  were  put  from  office,  fined    col  a 
piece,  and  ordered  to  gi?e  bonds  of   loool.  eaJh 
for  their    good  behavior  for  one  year.     Four  o- 
ther  men  of  that  town  received  like  fentences,  on- 
ly  m  lefs  fums.*  Was  not  thia  a  teaching  by  cud.e/ 
i^ead  ofar^umtnt  J  p.  ,  00.     1  o  jullify  or  excufe 
their  makmg  the  aw  againft  the  baptlUs  in   .644, 
Mr.  Hubbard  faid,    -  It  were  well  if  thofe   who 
cannot  comply  with  the  religion    of  the  ftate  or 
place  where  they  live, yet  had  fo  much 7^^;2«,r.  as 
Ilo^  tojuftle  agamft,  nor  openSy  prac^ii^e  that  that 
IS  inconHftant  therewith,  as  if  they  would    bid  a 
kind  of  dehance  thereunto.     Mofes  would  not  do 
thatinEg)'pt,  upon  account  of  religious  worfhip, 
that  might  feem  a  matter  of  aborainatioa  to  them 

•  Ibid,  p.  16^ 


[1684]       iw  NEWEN  GLAND.       515^ 

who  were  lords  of  the  place."  And  Dr.  Mathet 
had  lately  faid,  "  If  a  conliderabie  niuiibtT  of  an- 
tipcdobaptifts  ftiould  (as  our  fathers  here  did)  ob^ 
tain  liberty  from  the  ftatc,  to  tranfport  themfelves 
and  families,  into  a  waftc  American  wilderncfs, 
that  fo  they  might  be  a  peculiar  people  by  them- 
felves ;  praclifiiig  all,  and  only  the  inftitutions  o£ 
Chriit :  it  now  pedobaptilts  fhould  come  after  them, 
and  intrude  tnemfelvejij^pon  them — furely  they 
would  defire  fuch  perlons,  either  to  walk  orderly 
With  them,  or  to  return  to  the  place  from  whence 
they  came.  Let  them  then  do  as  they  would  bs 
done  by."*  Now  John  Palmer,  one  of  Andres's 
council,  to  vindicate  their  conduct  faid,  **  It  is  Vk 
fundamental  point,  confented  to  by  all  chriftiaH 
nations,  that  the  fh'ft  difcovcrer  of  a  country  in* 
habited  by  infidels^  gives  right  and  dominion  o£ 
that  country  to  the  prince  in  whofc  fervice  the 
difcoverers  were  fent.'*  But  the  MafTaohufetts 
fay,  "  we  affirm  that  this  fundamental  point,  as 
he  calls  it,  is  not  a  chrijlian,  but  an  unchrijlian 
principle  **f  Yes,  irhd  it  was  as  much  fo  when 
they  banifhed  Mr.  Williams  as  it  is  now.  4.  W<f 
have  feen  how  Dr.  Mather  treated  the  chara£l:erg 
of  the  baptifts ;  now  a  letter  is  forged  in  his  name, 
full  of  ridiculous  and  trpafojiable  exprcffions,  which 
being  pretendedly  detected  in  its  way  to  Holland, 
was  laid  before  the  Britifli  miniftry,  and  then  was 
printed  and  fpread  through  the  nation  to  expofc 
him.  When  he  came  to  know  it  he  faid,  '*  I'hat 
which  troubled  me  was,  that  1  was  like  to  fuffer 
as  an  evil-doer,  through  the  malice  and  falfliood  of 
wicked  men.     Might  I  have  fuffer ed  for  any  truth 

which 

♦  Preface  to  Ktfutar,  p.  j, 
f  K.crduUo.n  Juftificd,  p.  44. 


^2©    HISTORY  Of  tfr£  BA!*TIST^ 

which  T  hrid  born  vvitnefs  to,  I  could  havcrcjt^iccdirt 
it."*  Yes  ;buthL  pcriecutors  were  as  lirtit  inclin* 
ed  to  give  liim  th^.t  honor,  as  he  was  the  baptift^ 
5.  Governor  Bradilreet  wlio  liclpcd  to  banilh  Mr* 
Williams,  for  oppoiing  an  oath  that  was  contrary 
to  his  confeicnce,  lived  to  feel  and  fee  what  fiich 
impoffiiions  mcnt  upon  themfelves.  For  refuling 
to  fwear  en  the  booi,  many  were  not  only  put  by 
from  I'erving  onjurys^but  wcreyfr,'^.7and  hnpr'ifoned^ 
and  lays  the  liillorian,  "  the  faithful  of  New. 
Xngland  chofe  rather  t^p  fuffer  aJlliction^  than  t» 
lile  a  rite  in  the  worlliip  of  God,  vi'liich  they  fuf- 

J>ecfeJ/infui.'"  |  And  Dr.  Incrcafe  Mither  took  pains 

;t6  pubiiih  a  difcourfe  upon  ''  The  unlawfulncfg 
of  uhng  common  prayer  ;  and  of  fwcaring  oj* 
the  book."  6.  Andros  cirrieci  his  cpifcopai  worjQiip 
into  IVlr.  Williard's  m.eetin£--houre,  after  their  ex* 
ercife  was  over,  and  threai'jned,  '-  To  Hint  u^ 
their  doors  if  he  was  refufed,  and  to  puuifli  any 
man  ^ho  gave  two  pence  towatds  the  fuf)port  of 
nonconformid  miniftcrs  ;  and  th?.t  pubHc  worfhi^ 
in  the  congregational  way,Lhould  not  b?  tolerated.'* 
This  felt  lb  to  them,  that  wiien  king  Jamci  fent 

.over  his  proclamation,  of  indulgence  anJ  liberty^ 
of  confcience,  "•  Tae  miniltors  of  Boilon  propofed 
unto  their  congregations  to  keep  a  day  of  changf- 
giving,  to  blefs  Go(J  for  what  they  enjoyed  ;  [[but 
the  governor  afllired  them]  that  if  they  did,  Ive 
"would  clap  a  guard  on  their  pe\fons  and  their 
churches  too,'"*  and  fo  prevented  it.  Hereupon 
they  thought  proper  to  fend  Dr.  Mather  as  their 
agent  to  Eng'and.     He  had  accufed  Randolph  or 

jhis  brother,  of  forging  the  aforelaid  letter  10  ex- 
pofe  him  ;  upon  which  Randolph  prolecuted  him 
for  defamation  :    and  though  he  was    acquitted 

upon 

*  His  life  p.  93,  94:        t  Magnalia,  B.  7  p.   S,   iz,  15, 


[j688]     ihNEW-ENGLAND.        521' 

upon  trial,  yet  to  prevent  his  going  to  England 
Haadolph  dcligned  by  another  writ  to  fcize,  and 
clap  him  up  in  priion  ;  to  avoid  which, Dr.  Mather 
efcaped  out  ot  town  in  difguiie,  and  was  carried 
on  board  a  fliip  in  the  night,  April  7,  1688  ;  and 
upon  his  ariival  at  London,  he  with  others  peti- 
tioned the  king,  *'  That  there  might  be  Uberty  of 
confcience  in  matters  of  religion,— and  that  all 
their  meeting  houfes  may  be  left  free  to  thtm, 
according  to  the  intention  of  the  builders  thereof, 
but  ttiis  application  met  with  no  fuccefs  *'  * 

Do  not  thelc  things  verify  the  truth  of  thes 
chriftian  reveration  ?  They  brought  Dr.  Mather 
over  to  acknowlege,  that  the  parable  of  the  tares 
was  a  declaration  of  our  Saviour's  will  for  a  toJera" 
t'lon  ;  and  that,  a  good  neighbour  and  a  good  fub- 
jecf  has  a  claim  to  all  his  temporal  enjoyments 
before  he  is  a  chriftian  ;  and  he  thought  it  very 
odd,  that  the  man  (hould  lofe  his  claim,  from  hisj 
embracing  of  chriifianily,  becaufc  he  does  not 
happen  to  be  a  chriflian  of  the  uppermoft  party 
among  the  fubdivificns.  For  an  uppermoil  party 
ot  chrifiians,  to  punilii  men,  in  their  temporal  en- 
joymetits,  becauie  in  fome  religious  opinions  they 
diffent  from  them,  or  with  an  txclufion  from  the 
temporal  enjoyments,  which  would  juftly  belong 
unto  them,  is  a  robbery''.  -}■  And  how  were  the 
baptiils  treated  after  this  ? 

Fhsir  church  at  Bolfon  had  received  cldei? 
John  Emhlen  from  England,  July  20,  ]684.  Mr. 
Kichard  Dingley  was  received  a  meniber  there  thg 
ilime  year,  and  foon  after  fuccccdcd  Mr.  Holme* 
in  the  pad  oral  oillce  at  Newport,  whei^e  he  con* 
tinued  about  ten  years,  and  then  went  to  Carolina* 
W  w  w  Mr. 

•Hiil'lfe,  p.   103, —  III   Mair.  hift.  vol.  l.  p.  368, 
.    tHisLife,  p.   >8,    5^,  Ssa  Ifai ,  61,  S4 


522       HISTOKY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

Mr.Samuel  Luther  fucceeded  Mr.Miles  atSwanzey, 

where  he  ,was  ordained  by  our  elders,  Hull  snd 

Emblen,  on  July  22,   1685,  '^^■^  ^^^  ^^'^^  continued 

a  great  blcliing    to  them  32    years.     But   elder 

Emblen  dying  about   1699,  that  church  remained 

in  defiitute  circumftances  for  fome  years,  and  then 

chofe   Mr.  Callender  in  his  room  ;  to  whom  the 

follouing  letter  was  directed,  the  original  cf  which 

is  now  before  me.  ^j 

o-  lod.  im.     1714. 

As  in  the  diHrcfTes  of  the  winter*  we  did  with  the 
folernnities  of  humiliation,  call  upon  our  gracious 
God,  fo,  fince  he  has  graciouily  recovered  fo 
many  of  our  people,  and  fent  in  fuch  feafonable 
provifions  for  our  neceffities,  it  has  been  prcpolcd 
among  the  minifters  of  the  town,  that  our  good 
people  may  acknowledge  thele  favors  of  our  pray- 
er-hearing Lord,  with  the  folemnity  of  a  tharkf- 
giving,  iiT  our  fevcral  congregations  ;  for  which 
alfo  we  have  had  the  encouragement  of  the  go- 
vernment. The  time  we  would  propofe  for  iuch 
a  fcrvice  is  Thurfday,  the  firft  of  April,  if  the 
churches  have  no  obicclion  asrainft  it.  And  it  was 
clefired  that  you  might  be  feafonably  apprifed  of 
this  propoial,  becaufe  w^c  are  Well  aifurcd  of  the 
welcome,  which  a  motion  of  fuch  a  nature  will 
find  with  you,  and  thepcopje  of  God  unto  whom 
you  ftand  nearly  related.  Having  thus  diichargcd 
the  duty  in  this  matter  incumbant  on  me,  1  take 
leave  to  fubfcribe,       sir,  ycur  bnther  andf^vanf, 

CoTTO.^j  Mather." 
^0  my  worthy  friend^  Mr.  Ellis  CalUnder,  elder 
of  a  church  of  Chriji  in  Bojloji, 

His  fon  Eiifha  had  joined  to  that  church  the 
10th  of  Auguft  preceeding,  and  he  gave  him  an 
education  at  Cambridge  \  and  Dr.  Increafe  Mather 

having 


[i688]       IN  NEW-ENGLAND.        523 

having  fignified  his  willingnefg  for  fuch  a  thing, 
the  cilurch  called  him,  his  ion,  and  Mr.  John 
Webb  to  aiuft  in  ordaining  the  laid  Mr.  Eliflia 
Caliender  then  paitor  on  May  21,  1718  ;  and 
in  the  preface  to  that  ordination  Sermon,  the 
old  gentlemen  fays,  "  It  was  a  grateful  {iirprifeto 
me,  when  fcveral  of  the  brethren  of  the  antipedo- 
bapdft  perfijaiion  came  to  me,  defiring  that  I 
would  give  them  the  right-hand  of  fellowihip  in 
ordaining  one  whom  they  had  chofen  to  be  their 
pallor.  I  did  (as  1  believe  it  was  my  duiy)  readily 
confent  to  what  they  propofed  :  confidering  the 
young  man  to  be  ordained  is  ferious  and  pious, 
and  of  a  candid  fpirit,  and  has  been  educated  in 
the  college  at  Cambridge  ;  and  that  all  of  the  bre- 
thren of  that  church  with  whom  I  have  any  ac- 
quaintance (1  hope  the  like  concerning  others  of 
them)  are  in  the  judgment  of  rational  charity  god- 
ly perfons.'*  Two  of  whom  v/ere  old  elder  Cal- 
lender  and  deacon  Sweefter,  who  "were  principal 
members  when  tlieir  meeting-houfe  was  formerly 
nailed  up.  Dr.  Cotton  Mather  preached  the  Ser- 
mon, which  he  intitled  hood  men  united.  And  af- 
ter opening  the  nature  and  importance  of  fuch  a 
union  he  fays,  "  It  is  very  fadly  true,  that  many 
ecclefiallical  communities,  wherein  piety  has  its 
votaries,  yet  are  guilty  of  this  evil,  that  they  im> 
pol'e  terms  of  communion  which  many  that  have 
the  fear  of  God,  are  by  juil  exceptions  kept  from 
complying  withal.  Now  in  this  unhappy  cafe 
what  is  to  be  done  ?  do  this,  let  good  men  go  as 
far  as  they  can  without  fli  in  holding  communion 
with  one  another.  But-  where  finful  terms  are 
impofed,  there  let  them  make  th..ir  Hops  ;  there. 
2.f6paration  becomes  a  duty  ;  there  the  in"unc1ion 
^f  heaven   upon  them  is,  Be  ye  fcparatejaith  thi: 


514     HtSTOnY  OP  ITHE  BAPTISTS 

Lord,  and  touch  mt  the  unclean  thing,  and  I  tvill  re- 
ciive  you.  The  imprjers  are  i\\^  fchlfmot'ics.-^Vhc 
unity  which  beautifies  the  true  people  ot  God.  is 
calicJ  the  unity  of  the  fpirit,  Eph.  4,  3.  The  right 
bafis  tor  an  union  among  us,  is  the  linly  Spirit  in* 
dining  us  to  gUniry  God,  with  an  obedience  to 
his  will  revealed  in  his  word  ;  and  to  glorify  our 
Saviour  with  a  dependance  on  him  for  all  the 
blcllings  of  goodneis  ;  and  to  love  our  neighbour 
as  ourfelves.  I'hcre  hai-e  been  m;u)y  attempts  to 
Unite  people  in  fonAs  and  tcnns^  that  are  not  the 
pure  maxi  ns  of  living  untoGod  ;  and  lo  to  build  the 
to/^'er  of  Zion,  on  a  foun^dation  which  is  not  the 
tr  ed  Jh'i'.e  and. the  precious,  and  fo  not  i\\c  fu  e 
foundation.  There  has  hitherto  been  a  blatl  Jrom 
heaven  upon  all  thofe  attempts  ;  they  have  mif- 
carried,  as  being  rather  calculated  for  the  tower 
of  Babel. — We  arefometimes  feartul  of  paving  the 
refpects  which  v/e  really  owe  to  a  people  q\  trveficty 
(Inch  a  people  as  we  this  day  meet  withal)  ior- 
looth,  Icll  we  conlirm  them  in  what  we  take  to  be 
an  error,  or  mifiead  others  into  it  ;  1  hope  it  is 
needlefs  fear. — ()  you  who  cannot  but  own  your- 
felves  brethren  to  one  another,  and  bound  up  in 
one  bundle  of  life ;  how  is  it  poflibie  for  you  to  re- 
quire of  one  another  fubmiilion  to  terms  which 
yuL'i  cannot  but  think,  that  men  may  be  good 
men,  and  have  the  evident  tokens  of  falvation 
upon  them,  without  fubmitting  to  !  And  the 
terms  which  you  have  fo  pitched  upon,  how 
can  you  proceed  fo  far,  as  not  only  to  with- 
draw your  fellowfhip  from  the  good  m.en  to  whom 
thev  do  nt^t  appear  lo  ncccflary,  but  alio  inflicf  un- 
eafycircLimfiances  upon  them,  itfider  the  wretched 
notion  oi  ivboljomefz-erit'.es  !  CUrfed  the  anger,  for 
it  is  fierce  ;  and  the  v  rath,  for  it  is  crutl  I  good  for 
jBotliing  but  only   to  make  diiijions  in  Jacob,  and 

dif^erjlom 


[1689]      IN    NEW-ENGLAND.      s^S 

difpc'fion-^  in  Ifniel.  Good  men,  alafs !  goodmen 
have*  done  luch  ill  things  as  thefe  ;  yea,  few 
charches  of  the  reformation  have  been  Avlicjlly 
clear  of  thefe  iniquities.  New- England  alfo  has 
in  f.ime  former  times  done  fometlung  of  tlii;-  af- 
pecl,  which  would  not  now  be  fo  well  approved 
of;  in  which,  if  the  brethren,  in  ivhofe  huvfe  we  are 
now  convened,  met  wicii  any  thing  too  imhrcther^ 
/v,  they  now  with  fatisfaclioh  hear  us  exprefling 
our  dillike  of  every  thing  that  has  looked  hke  fer- 
fecntion  in  the  days  that  have  pafled  over  us."* 

I  THOUGHT  it  bell  thus  to  coliecl:  thefe  pafTages 
into    one   view,     which   may  remind  us    of  the 
jLpotties    words,    Happy  is    he  that    condemneth   not 
himfelf  in  that  thing  lOhich  he  alloweth.     After  the 
^•acat^on  of  the  Mairachufetts  cliarti^r,  Mr.  Jofeph 
Dudiey   was   appointed    prelident   of  the  colony, 
till  governor    Andros  arrived  in  December  1686, 
Vv'ho    had    all    New-England   and   New- York  in- 
cluded  in   his  commiiiion.      Pvando'ph  brought  a 
quo  warranto  againd  Rhode-liland  charter,  June 
2,2,  1686,  upon  which  the  freemen  met,  and  gave 
their   op'nion  to  the   general  aficmbly,  and  thea 
left  the  affair  with  them,  who  on  June  29  conclud- 
ed not   to  (land  fuit   with  his  Majefiy,  but  fent  a 
humble  addrefs  to  him,    "  to  continue  their  privi- 
leges according  to  charter."    Andros's  commiflioa 
wa^   publiihed   among  them  the  1  2th  of  January 
following  and  he. with  a  few  mandamous  c^unfel- 
lers,  tyrauifed  over   all  thele    colonies,    till    John 
Win  flow   brought    a  copy  oi'  J^irig  William's  pro- 
clamation to  Boiion,  and    Andros  impiifoi^ied  him 
therefor;  upon  which  the  people  arof'e  April  18, 1689, 
and  feized  h'Ui  and  his  council,  and  rcfuuied  their 
former  order  of  government  ;  which  being  heard 
©fin    Rhode-liland  colony,  their  freemen  met  at 

Newport 
f  Mather's  feraioa  atCallcnder'j  ordiuaiion;  p,  iZ,zs>l\  i-^'  39» 


5i5      HISTORY  of  the  BAPTISTS 

Newport  May  r,  and  voted  to  refiime  their  char- 
ter, and  to  have  their  former  rulers  take  theii: 
places  again.  They  met  again  Feb.  20,  1690^ 
a  id  eiccled  new  rulers  in  the  place  offonie  who 
declined  ferving,  and  they  with  Coniieclicut  have 
enjoyed  tueir  privileges  to  the  prefent  times. 

i  SH  .LL  clofe  this  chapter  with  a  liit  of  New- 
EngUnd  rulers,  and  a  icw  remarks  thereon.  Ply- 
nijutii  never  had  any  charter  but  only  from  the 
council  for  New-En o-land  that  was  eltabliihcd  at 
Plymouth  in  Dovenlhire.  Their  form  of  govern- 
ment was  fettled  by  voluntary  agreement  among 
themfeH'es.  At  firft  they  only  chofe  a  governor  ; 
the  next  year,  one  aflillant  with  him  ;  in  1624, 
they  chofe  five,,  and  in  1633,  feven  affiitants,  and 
kept  to  that  nuitibcr  to  the  end  of  their  colony. 
Mr.  Bradford  was  always  an  alliftant  when  he  was 
Hot  goveinor,  as  long  as  he  livfed  :  his  fon  was 
aflLlaatand  tlien  deputy  governo,  till  the  revolu- 
tion ;  and  he  and  fcveral  of  his  pofterity  ha\'e 
been  counfellor*^.  in  this  province  ;  and  one  of 
his  defcendants  is  now  deputy  governor  oi"  the 
(late  of  Rhode-Iiland.  in  1639,  they  began  to 
have  a  houfe  of  dcpuries  in  their  general  court  ; 
and  about  1663,  they  agiecd  that  their  eldefl  alH- 
flant  Qiould  have  the  power  of  a  deputy  governor, 
to  act  in  the  governor's  place  "when  he  was  abfcnt. 
This  continued  till  1680,  when  by  reafon  of  Mr. 
Alden  s  age,  though  they  continued  him  an  aflillant, 
they  began  to  choofe  other  deputy  governors. 

A   lift    of  Plymouth   Governors,    the  years 
they  ruled,  and  the  tinie  of  their  deaths. 
I    John    Carver,     1620,        i657,3et.  69. 

died  April  162.1.  1  3  Edward  Winflow,i 633 

CiWilliamBradford,i62i        2>^,   44,    died  May  8., 

■33.35.37   39^—43.1      1655,  ^t.  6  [. 
s45 — S7  dit^j  IVIay  9, '  4Tho;na3  Prince,  1634, 

38 


\ 


jTtSSo]       IN  NE\y-ENGLAND.        527 


38,57  —-7  3 ,  died  Mar. 
29,  1673,   let.  73. 

5  Joliah  Winllow,  1673, 

— 00,  died  Dec.  iS, 
i68oDet.  52. 

6  Thomas  Hinckley,  1 68  r 

— '36,  89 — 92,  died 
1705,    3£t.  74. 

Deputy  Governors. 

I  William  Collidr,  1662, 

1  JohnAlden,  1666 — 80. 

3  Ihomas  Hinckley  1 680, 

4  JamesCudworth,  i68i 

he  went  their  agent  to 
England, anddiedthere 
the  lame  year. 

5  William  Bradford,  1682 

—  86,  89 — 92. 


Assistants  ;  the  years 
when  firft  chofcn,  as 
far  as  I  can  find  from 
their  records. 

Ifaac  Allerton,         1621. 
Edv/ard  Winfiow, 
Miles  Standilh, 
John  Howland, 
John  Alden, 
John  Doane, 
Stephen  Hopkins, 
William  Gilfon,       1633 
William  Coiliar,        1634- 
Thomas  Prince,       1635 
Timothy  Hatherly,i636 


John  Brown, 
John  Jenny, 
John  Atwood, 
Edmund  Freeman, 
WilJiam  Thomas, 
Thomas  Willet, 
Tho's  Southworth, 
James  Ciidworth, 
Jofiah  Winllow, 
William  Bradford, 
Thomas  Hinckley, 
James  Bawn, 
John  Freeman, 
Nathaniel  Bacon, 
Ccnfi  Soiithwci  th, 
Daniel  Smith, 
Barnabas  Lothrop, 
John  Thatcher, 
John  Wailey, 
John  Cufliing, 


63^ 

638 
640 
642 

651 
65a 

656 

^57 
65 '5 
658 
665 
666 
667 
670 

79 
681 

O82 

684 

690 


Note,  the  Appendix  to 
Morton  miftakes  in  plac- 
ing the  firft  choice  of 
Cud  worth  anci  Brown, 
after  1670;  and  the  Mag- 
Uanafets Smith  too  early* 

Maff^i  chufetts  Governors 

1  IMatthew  Cradock,  1628 

2  John  Winthrop,  1629, 

—34,37 — 40,42-— 445 
46 — 49,   died  Mar.  26 

1649,  ^'^^  ^2- 

3  Thomas  Dudley  1931. 

40,  45>  5o»  ^''-.^  Y^^y 

31,  1653,   ^t.  77. 
4  Joha 


528     HISTORY  OF  the  BAPTISTS 


4  John  Haines,       1635 

5  Henry  Vaae,  1636 
died,   1662,   xt  <;o. 

6  Richard  Belling^ham. 
1641,  54,  6^ — 7  2.  died 

1672,    .Tt,     81. 

7  John   Endicot,    1644. 

49o' I— 53>  55— ^5- 
died  March  23,  1665. 

8  John  Leveret,  1673 — 78 

died  March  16,   1678, 

9  Simon  Bradilrcet,  1678 
— 86,89 — 92,diedMar. 
»/,    1697,   set,  94. 

Deputy  Governors 

I  Thomag  Goff,       162^ 
a  John  Hunifrey,     i62( 

3  John  Endicot,  1629 
^41—43,50,34. 

4  Thomas  Dudley,  163c 

— 34>  37 — 40,46— 4S: 

5  Roger  Ludlow,     1634 

6  Richard     Bcllingham. 

i«35,  40,  55—65. 

7  John  Winthrop,  1636, 

44,  45- 

8  Francis  Willoughby, 
1665—71. 

pjohn  Leveret,  1 671 — 7  3. 

I  o  SamuelSymonds,  1 673 

—77- 

I I  Simon    Bradilrcet, 

1677,78. 

*  Thcfc  twelve  were  here  In 
d!^^bef.^^c  the  year  wiS  aut, 
RevoL  foo;i  went  backt 


12    Thomas    Danforth, 
1678-^86,  89 — 92. 

Assistants,  who  camC 
to  this  country. 

Sir  Richard    SaltonilaH, 
Ifaac  Juhnlbn. 
John   Endicot. 
Increafe  Nowel. 
William   ValTel. 
William  Pinchon. 
Edward  Roilitcr. 
Roger  Ludlow. 
Thomas  Sharp. 
John  Reve]. 
William  Coddington. 
■iimon  Bradiireet.   * 
John  HumiVey,        1632 
John"Winthrop,jun.i632 
John  Llaines,  1634 

Atherton  Hough,  1635 
Richard  Dummer,  1635 
Rich.  Bcllingham,  1636 
Roger  Harlakcndcn  1636 
lli-acl  Stoughton,  1637 
Richard  Saltonfi'all,  1637 
Thomas  Flint,  164X 

Samuel  Symonds,  1643 
Will  Hibbeiis,  i643 

FJerbcrt  Pelham,  1645 
Robert  Bridges  1647 
Francis  Willoughby  i65« 
I  homai  W^iggan,  165* 
Edward  Gibbons,  1654 
John 

1630,  but  Johnfrn  and  K^ti-ter 
SdUoaitail,   Vaifcl,   Sharp  md 


X'l  690]       IK    NEW-  EN  CLAN  D.       5?cj 


1654 
1659 


foh:i  Glover, 
Daniel  Gookin, 
Pj.;ncl  Dcnllbn^ 
Sim  oil  Wiihrd, 
H.  Atii.erton, 
lliclura  Rain^, 
Thomas  Danfcrth,  1659 
Wiliiaiii  ilawthonij 1 662 
Elc^izar  Luilicr,  iG6i 
John  Levcret>  ,  ^^^5 
John  Pincliciii',  -1,66  s 
Edward  Tyiig,  i663 

V/illiam  Stoiightpa,  167  i 
I'hoiiia:-;  Clai'ii,  '  167  ^ 
Joicph  Dadlcy, 

N.  SaltorJtill,' 
Hunifrey  D^v^y 
Janica  itQ.icii, 
Samacl  NavvG-l, 
Peter  Tillon, 


1652  [  John  Hull, 
J652 


r-o 


1676 


161 


// 


i6}g 
1679 

1 6  So 
i68o 
j68o 


1  \.)  •J  'S} 

13.    Gldney,  j68o 

1  hninas  Savacre.  1680 
■Wiliiani  Bi"own,  v68o 
Samuel  Appleton,  168 1 
llDbcrt  Pike,  i6tj2 

Daniel  Fifhcr,  16S  .; 

John  Wood b lid giS,  1683 
i'^uiha  Cooke,  '  '  168.: 
Wiiiiain  Johuic)!),  16S. 
John  Havvtliorn,  1684 
iLiidia  llutchiiifon,  1684 
•  Ifaac  AddinpLon,  i68(> 
Jjhn  Smith,  lo'So 

Tiih,|R.  charter  appvjiatr 
ed  1 8  aiHilaiits,  biii;  ihcy 
had  icarce  ever  clvoreii 
abVive  half  To  many,  tili 
by  tiie  King'5  order  i.h<:y 
CAi)['2  the  iui-l  iiUilibei'  iif 

1680.  "'■■'  " 


John  Ptlchaid::,         i63i 

R  H  (■»  D  S,  -  Is  L  A  KO    Rubrs,- 

.RoG  lkVV  iLLiAMs,  v-ar>  tiu^y  .th.c  founder .oF.t;]?.t 
Colony^  and  a  principal  ruler  among  ti.im.  as  >.e 
have  fc'eii.  tronk  ihe  beginning,  'iho'e  \vh,  i)egaijL 
upon  the  iilaad  had  a  dihcrent  rotioii  ab.oa:  g  ). ;  in- 
liieh.t  irbm  him  at  iirl-t:,  ar.J  as  their  covenant  \--  5, 
was  printed  fiom  an  impeikct  C(^py,  1  ilj.tlL  ;e 
ixifert  it  exactly  from  their   records  as  Cadows  f 

"  VV£  whole  names  are  iindei>\viitt;.;j  do  hei  ^ 
fokmnly,  in  the  prcfenceof  jfcHj«yAH,i.'jCi>rpoAtt. 
Exod  '.!,?,  i  ^  ourielves  into  a'body  polkie,  and  asTiG 
■i  Chron.  11.5V  ihall  help, Will  lubmit  our  pcrioi?^  'v-s 
2  Kings  n  17  3  ^nd  eitates,  linto  onr  Ltnd  ;  v 
iChrift,  the  Kiug  of  kings,  and  Lord  ci  lOiCi^,  .     \ 

T    -■    -.'  ■>-(> 


53«       HISTORY  CF  THE  BAPTISTS 

to  all  thofe  perfccl  and  moft  abfolute  laws  of  his> 
ghea  us  in  his  holy  word  of  truth,  to  be  guided 
and  judged  tliereby."  And  they  then  appointed 
Mr.  CoDDiN'G'JON  as  jiidge,  and  Mr.  Aipinwalt 
fecret'y.  to  ruie  them  according  to  this  covenant ; 
till  on  Jan  2,  1639,  an  aflcmbiy  i>t"  the  freemen' 
iliid,  '•  By  the  coni^.nt  of  the  body  it  is  a^^reed, 
thatfach  who- ihali  be  chofen  to  the  place  of  i:,7^/Vr- 
Jhip^  they  are  to  afiilt  the  judge  in  the  execution 
ofjuftice  and  judgment,  for  the  regulating  and 
ordering  of  all  offences  and  offenders,  and  for  the 
drawing  -vip  and  determining  of  all  iuch  rules  and 
laws  as  fhall  be  according  to  God,  which  may 
conduce  to  the  good  and  welfare  of  the  common- 
weal y  and  to  tliera  is  committed  by  the  body  the 
whole  care  and  charge  of  alt  the  affairs  thereof  ; 
and  that  the  judge  together  with  the  ciders,  ihall 
rule  and  govern  according  to  the  s^cncral  rules  of 
the  word  of  God,  when  they  have  no  particular 
rule  from  God's  word,  by  the  body  prclciibed  as 
a  direcfion  unto  thcni  in  the  cafe:  And  further 
it  is  agreed  and  confented  un,to,  that  the  judge 
and  ciders  iliall  be  accountable  unto  the  body 
once  evpry  quarter  of  the  year,  (whenas  the  body 
fhall  be  affembledl  of  all  fuch  cai'cs,  aclions  or  rules 
which  have  paffcd  through  their  hand^s,  by  them 
to  be  fcanned  and  weighed  by  the  word  of  Chrift  ; 
and  if  by  the  body  or  any  of  them,  the  Lord  fliall 
be  plcafed  to  difpenfe  Hght  to  the  contrary  of 
what  by  the  judge  or  elders  hath  been' determined 
formerly,  that  then  and  there  it  filall  be  repealed' 
as  the  aft  of  the  body  ;  and  if  it  he  otherwife,  that 
tiftn  it  (hall  (land  (till  further  light  concerning  it) 
for  the  prefent  to  be  accoiding  to  God,  and  thr 
tender  care  if  indulging  fathcis. 

William  Djre,  clerk.*' 
TiSss? 


£[590]       IN   NEW-ENGLAND.      531 

They  then  cliofe  the  elders  named  in  p.  97, 
and  went  on  as  is  there  mentioned,  till  March  16, 
1 64 1,  when  they  disfranchifcd  Carder,  Holden, 
Shattoa  and  Potter,  and.  iulpcnded  from  voteing 
George  Parks,  John  jiriggs,  and  Mr.  Lenthal, 
who  was  gone  tor  England  ;  and  then  laid,  "  It 
is  ordered  by  the  authority  of  this  preient  court, 
that  none  be  accounted  a  delinquent  for  dodirine, 
provided  it  be  not  diredly  repugnant  to  the  go- 
vernment and  laws  eftabliihed."  And  in  September 
following  they  faid,  "  The  law  concerning  liberty 
of  confcience  in  point  ol  dofirine  is  perpetuated.'' 
After  they  received  their  charter,  their  rulers 
were  as   follows  : 


FrefiJents  or  Grcernors 
John    Coggihall,     1647.'; 
Roger   Williams,     1648 

54 — 57 •>  ^i^^  ^^^3  ^^' 

84. 
John  Smith,      1649,  5^* 
Nicholas  Eailon,     1650, 

51,  72,73,  died  1675. 
Gregory   fexter,     1653 

died       jec.  91. 
Benedict  Arnold,     1657, 

— 60,62 — 65,  69 — 72, 

77,73,dicdjunei9,  r678 

William    Brenton,     1660 

— 62,66 — 69,diedi674 
W^illiamCoddington,  1674 

75,78,  died    Nov.    1, 

1678,    set   78'. 
Walter  Clarke,    1676,86, 

96,  97,  died  June  17 14. 

John  Cranfton,  1678 

—^3  Q,  dicdMar.  12,  i68q 


Pcleo;  Sanford,i68o — Z% 
Wilham     Coddington, 

1683 — 85,  died  1688, 
Hepry  Bull,  1685,  90, 
John  Eafton,      1 690 — 95 

died  1705,  3et  85. 
Caleb   Carr,  ^^95 

Samuel  Cranflon,    16-^8 

— - 1 7  2  7 ,  died  April  26, 

1727. 
Jofcph  Jcncks,     1727—^ 

3  2,diedJune  15,  1740, 

aged    84. 
Wm.Wantonji732 — 34^ 
John  Wanton,  1734 — 41c 
Richard  Ward,  1741  — 43 
William  Greene,  1743 — » 

--45»46,  48— 55»57« 
GideonWanton,  1745,47 
Stephen  ^Hopkins,   175^ 

—57^  58—62,  64,  67 

^6c^. 

Simuci 


/■  1 2 


riTSTOHY  OF  THE  E-ArTISTS.. 


thmud   Ward,    1762— ,  RotftH:azir<a,  175c 


64,  65—57 
Jaliaa  l>yndon,  i:;?:^ 
J  of  e pli  Wa n  tf )n ,  1 770- ■  7  5 
Nich.  (boke,  1775 — 77". 

_  Djtru't-Y  Governors. 
Y/illiani  Brcnton,     1 66  : 


7T 


1666- 


:      69,    70. 

Jcfhn  t'Jarke,    1669,    7^- 

John  til anlton,  1672, ,;6  John  SanFoid, 

W.   CodJine^on 
Randal    Hoiden. 


J.GnTYincr,.754;_56^64. 
Jonathan  Nichols,  1755^, 
JuOj^h     Wafiton,     jiin;, 

176^1,  67— .69. 
Eliih^i  Brown,  1 7^5-^-67 
NidiolasCooke,  1 769,7  5t 
naii-is.Scfnon,  ty/o — 75 
WiiiBradFord,  1 775 — 7  7 

ASIS-TAN  IS. 

ll.'Orj;er  Williams, 


l6/;7 

1^:47 
)  647 


1C47 
jeicniiiih  Claike,      1048. 


Jojl;n  Saiith, 
Tiitiip.as  Oliicy, 
John  Ciaike, 


1O48 
1  649, 
16/19 
i640. 
165Q 
J  650 
1650  . 
^^53 


John  Ei^dp,  1.675; 
jiiiic:}  Barker,  1678,  79. 
^ V'a]  Lei:    CUr k  e,   1 6  7  9— 

,  Hrr,  £701— ~  I  4. 

John  Coo  ill  ;il!,  i668,  90. 

J  )haGic;enei69o--~i,7bi   iSaniiicl  Gor.ton 

iicnry  Tew,  17  14,  jWilhani  Field, 

Jokphjencks,  1715 — 20,  John  roUcr, 

,     23—27.  rj'ohq  Wickcs^. 

;foiiii    Wanton,    1721-— „  jotin  Sayies, 

^    2.3.  19-— 34.  j  biiikeiy  Vvefcoatj     1653 

jonaihan  Nichols,  1727,  i  Ihunias  Harris,        »6£;4 
ThdhTas  Fr.y,  17  27-:—29.  [  John  Roomc,  1654- 

Geo,  Haviird,  1734— -38.  |  i^encdicl;  Arnold,     i6<;4 
.l>ailic!Ab!)ot,i738 — 40.    VN/iiliani  Batilfion,    itqS 

•  ichard  Ward,    1740.      ! Jch.n  Coggihall,        i6£;6 
j^/iD. Greene,  1741 — 4'^.    Ai  thur  Venner,       i6;;7 
:]  'Icph  Vvhipple,  1743—   U(ci)ard   lew, 
4^,46,  52 — 54.  I  J(<f-;iph  Clarke, 

Wn«.  Rohinfon,  1745^  47:  John  Giecne, 
Will.  EllcrV,  1748-— CO.  I  Janies  Baikt^r, 

Walter, 

*  The  aSriV!"nstried  Miifrs,  Ft  I'^on, Porter. Will^^fms,  Ciney, 
:' nuh,  ''v  ct.  •.-,  C  {:!liall,  Baikcr,  FitiJ  nn'i  Jofcph  ClarL«;i 
V»".r{;  the  ica  allillants  ajpoinied  in  ibeir  Uft  cLaitcv, 


i^57 

J  658 

1660' 

1663* 


[>69o].    IN  NEW.  EN  GLAND. 


Walter,  Todd, 
Xolin   G;u'dner, 
rMward  Smith, 
William  Carpenter, 
John  Drown, 
Sam'iel  Wilbore, 
John  Eafton, 
vV'ilh'am  H.^rrLs, 
Richard  Carcjn'rr, 
Benjamin  Saiith, 
Pt^'ecf  Sanford, 
M'ii'.iam  Plcape, 
Stcrhen   Arnold, 
John  Cranfton, 
Thynias  01aey,jiin . 
Jofhiia  Cogg^all, 
John  Tripp, 
James  Greene, 
joha  Albro. 
Richard  Smith, 
F"ancis  Brialcy, 
Hmry  Bi'own, 
AValter  Clarke, 
Daniel  Gould^ 
]bb  Almey, 
iienry  Bull, 
Bcn'janiin  Birtori, 
Kdvvard  Tharfton, 
T'lornis  Bardcn, 
William  Codmin, 
Sam  1  Gorton  jun. 
John  Whi,-> pie, 
Thoiiiis  Greene, 
Caleb  Carr, 
Thomas  Ward, 
W,n.  CjJdIajton, 


6.04 ' 

665 

665 

665 

665 

665 

656 

666 

bGG 

666 

667 

667 

.663 
669 
669 
670 
670 

.67, 

.672 
672 
■672 

673 
674 

6;  4 

^■is 

6y6 
fijG 
6yy 
67S 
679 
675 
680 


J.^neph  Jtncks,  1680 

Of  orge  i^awton,  i68a 

I-;icI;ard  Arnold,  i68t 

John  Potter,  1685 

Walter  Newbury,  j686- 

Benedicl:  Arnold,  1690 

Chriflo.  Almey,  1690 

CQiinefticut  Governors. 
Edward  Hopkins,    i6-^S 

died  in  En^i^iand   1657; 
John  Haines, 
George  Wyilys, 
Ihomas  Wells, 
John  Wcbiler, 
J,  Winthrop,    \''6z — 76 
diedif\pril3,  1676,  ?et.  71 
William  Leete, 
Robert  Treat, 
J.  Vv'^inthrop  died      1707 
G.  Saltonliall,  1707 — 24 
J,  Talcot,  17 2^^ — 41 

died  October         1741 
Jona.  Law,        1741  —  50 

died      1750 
R.  Woolcot,     1750-54"- 
Tho.  Fitch,      1754—66 
Wm.,  Pitkin,   i  769 — 69  ■ 

died    1766. 
Jtjna/rj  luiibull  1  769—  77 

N^'iu-  Haven  G(n^erno:'s. 
Theo.  Eaton,    1637 — ^y 

di  d    1657.. 
F.   Newman,    1^57 — 60.: 

died  1660 
Wm.  Leete,    iGGo—Cm . 

BTvIILF. 


5^4      HISTORY  •?  the  BAPTISTS 

Brief   Remarks. 

I  These  facts  may  teach  us  vvlivit  to  think  ot 
the  exclamations  that  have  often  been  made  a- 
gainll  a  tree  government,  where  each  tVccman 
may  have  a  voice  in  choohhg  their  chier  rulers. 
Plymouth  had  this  liberty  in  its  full  extent  :  hav- 
ing fuU  power  to  lay  the  plan  of  their  govern- 
ment as  they  plcafed,  and  to  clsct  whom  they 
would  into  office.  Each  freeman  in  that  colony 
had  their  equal  vote  in  tlie  annual  choice  of 
their  governor  ;  and  had  not  governor  Bradibrd 
requelted  theinfomeiimcs  to  elccl  others  into  that 
ofiice,  it  is  probable  that  in  the  whole  73  years  of 
their  continuance  as  a  diftincf  colony,  they  would 
never  h:jve  cli^nged  it  into  any  more  hands  than 
death  obliged  them  to  ;  and  in  fact  they  never  did 
but  five  times  in  all  thofe  years  ;  and  New-Havea 
made  no  liich  change  vi-hile  they  I'tniained  a  dif- 
tinct  government.  And  we  have  good  evidence 
that  even  afergant  in  Plymouth  militia  was  treat- 
ed with  more  honorable  regards  than  captains 
have  now  been  for  thefe  many  years  pall.  la 
Connecticut  where  their  governors  have  always 
been  elected  annually,  by  votes  of  the  free- 
men fent  in  from  every  town  in  the  colony, 
they  have  chofen  but  16  men  in  140  years,,  and 
but  ten  in  a  hundred  years,  only  two  or  three  of 
whom  were  left  out  oi  oihce  till  they  died.  And 
the  Mafiachufetts  chofe  but  eight  governors  in 
6;^  years.  But  lince  this  fickle  populaiity  (aa 
fome  call  fuch  government)  was  taken  awav,  and 
the  power  v/as  veiled  in  a  crowned  head,  to  fij^ 
governors  over  us  by  a  ftcady  commiffion-,  in 
which  the  people  had  no  voice,  the  province  in 
Si  years  Ir.is  had  a  Fhips,  Stoughton,  Bellamontj 
Dudley,  Tailor,  Shute,  Duinmcrj  Burnet,  BelcheXs 

,  Shii-iey, 


[1690]         IN   NEW-EN GLAND.         s^s 

Shirley,  Phjps,  Pownal,  Bernard,  Hiitchinfon, 
and  Gage,  for  commanders  in  chief,  wlio  have 
each  in  their  turns  been  invefted  with  power,  to 
negative  our  councehors  when  elected,  and  to  ne* 
gacive  Liiiy  and  every  ad  that  our  aiTembly  could  ■ 
pafs.  and  to  diir^)lve  them  when  they  pleal'ed.  All 
thcfe  in  a  fpace  when  Connedicut  had  but  about 
hah  fo  many  g;overnors,  and  in  34  years  of  the 
time  R'l  nic  liland  had  but  two  And  the  evil 
eHcch  atterward  of  a  dt; predating  currency,  an^ir' 
of  party  inftaence  in  cicctiane .  all  need  to  bewi^e 
of  at  tlii^  day-  Hence,  2  A.earn  tb.a  importai/i  -e 
f)f  viewing  pcrfons  andactionsir*  their  dylintt  lights 
fo  as  not  to  confound  good  and  evif,  truth  and  Falf- 
hood  together.  God  fays,  only  hy pride  cometb  con" 
fentirm  ;.  but  loith  tb^  ivell-ad'vlfcd  is  wifd  m  Piidc 
Caufed  a  cmtcntion  about  whajhoiild  be  great efl^  even 
among  the  apoflles.  and  made  theni  think  of  call- 
ing iox  fire  rom  heaven  to  confume  fuch  as  -would  not 
receive  them.  And  Dr.  Owen  well  fays,  "  Gofpel 
conlHtutions,  in  the  cafe  of  herefy  or  error,  i^Qun- 
Hot  to  favour  any  courfe  of  violence,  I  mean  of 
civil  penalties.  Fortold  it  is,  that  herehcs  muft: 
OQ,  I  Cor.  II,  19,  but  this  for  the  maniftUiu.^  of 
thofe  who  are  approved,  not  the  deftroyintr  o^ 
thofe  chat  are  not. — Perhaps  thufe  who  call  for' 
the  fword  on  earth,  are  as  unacquainted  witb 
t\\Av  own  fpirits,  as  thofe  that  called  for  fire  frohv 
heaven,  Luk.  1 1 .  And"  perhaps  the  parable  of  the 
tares  gives  in  a  pofltivc  rule  as  to  this  whole  buli- 
nefs."*  Thefe  fentiments  were  inculcated  upon 
our  I-^ymouth  fatlkfrs  before  they  came  to  thi^ 
country,  fv,'e  p.  26 — 32.  And  governor  Bradford 
vt'as  the  o^vner  of  the  book  which  contained  thenn^ 
that  1  am  now  favoured  with  j  and  while  he  coa-- 

tini:.'ed 
*  CoUa:tion  of  his  trails,  ^^}^l,  p.  31^. 


%^6    HISTORY  or   the  15  A  P  Tt  5  TS 

stlmied  governor  Mr.  Williams  could  be  conifof- 
tabic  -.It  Piymoiitlij  but  when  Rlr.  Vvinilow  canie 
into  thato^lice  ia  163?,  he  requeftcd  a  fabmMTiori 
to  Salem.  And  the  i'ccoad  tiine  Mr.  Winilov-/ 
was  gbv-ernor  he  vvroi'C  to  Mr.  Williams  to  re- 
move out  of  that  jiiiiliiliifcion,  p*  72-,  ;in J  a  law 
was  made  that  year  to  foibid  the'  gathering  of 
any  church  thLTcin  without  the  rulers  leave.  Re 
and  Mr.  ColUar  were  tli-c  commifiiorit'rs  for  Ply- 
mouth who  Cii  Sept.  y,  1643,  ilgned  ^^^'^  articles 
<?f  confedtzration  that  the  other  three  colonies  ha4 
entpred  into  the  May  ht*c>rc  ;  and  who  tJien  con* 
cured  in  lliC  delivery  of  rvjiantinomo  to  Ur.cas  to 
be  fiain  (though  without  toiture)  and  in  3.d"^'iling 
the  Mafi'rchuictts  to  fend  an  arnicd  iorce  to  War- 
wick. He  was  again  a  comnuiii»)ner;n  their  n.cet- 
ing  at  Hartford  bept.  j,  1,644,  v/Jien  they  wrote 
to  each  colony,  to  enter  upon  a  nietho.d  of  ratwg 
oil perfons  by  authprllj^  that  ref  iifed  or  ne;;lcdtd  to 
give  what  the  rulers  judged  to  be  their  aiv-et  pro* 
portion  toward  Ww/V^^-'i  mSin'enante  ;  againfl  wliich 
Mr.  John  B;  own,  the  other  Plymouth  cciiimiilio- 
r.cf,  entered  his  difl'ent.  In  Oclobcl'  16^:5,  ^"  "^ 
thin  afTernbiy  at  Plymouth,  Mr.  Wir.i'i.Nv  pro- 
pounded, •■'  and  after  a  who'e  days  azitation*'  got 
fom.ething' of  this  nature  allowed  ana  tnt<'ved  iip- 
on  theit  wallii  book  :  but  when  a  full  aifcmbiy 
met  the  next  week  Mr.  Brown  and  other  mciiiif^ 
trates,  "'exdepted  againft  the  entry  ot  that  order, 
as  pcrnicloiTs  and  ddh'uftive  to  the  wea)  of  the 
g-overnmcnt,  and  tenclered  a  propofitioa,  \.<C)  al- 
low and  maintain  full  and  free  tollerance  of  reli- 
gion, to  all  men  that  would  prcfcrve  thecivil  peace, 
and  fubniit  to  governnvcnt."  But  Mr.  Winllow 
liad  irjflucnce  enough  to  prevent  the  putting  of 
that    irrtt.r   to  vc  tc.     Wh^n  the   commiiTioncr^^ 

xnet 


[1690]     IN  NEW-EN  GLAND.  '      s%7 

met  at  New-H^ven  Sept.  9,  1646,  they  faid,  "  up« 
©n  intormation  of  what  petitions  have  beeji  lately 
put  up  in  Ibme  of  the  colonies  againft  the  good 
and  Itraight  ways  of  Chrift,  both  in  the  churches 
and  in  the  common-v/ea!th,  the  commiiilonersjre- 
membering  that  theie  colonies,  for  thcmfelves  and 
their  poftcrity,  did  unite  into  this  form  of  perpetual 
league,  as  for  other  refpccls,  fo  for  mutual  advice, 
that  the  truth  and  liberties  of  the  gofpel  might  be 
preferved  and  perpetuated-,  thought  it  their  duty 
feriouily  to  commend  it  to  the  care  andjurifdiclioii 
of  each  general  court  witliin  thefe  united  colonies,, 
that  as  they  have  laid  their  foundations  and  mea- 
fured  the  houfc  of  God,  the  worlhip  and  wor- 
fliippers,  by  the  rod  God  hath  put  into  theirhands, 
fo  they  would  walk  on  and  build  up  (all  difconr- 
agements  and  difficulties  notwithftanding)  with  an 
undaunted  heart  and  unwearied  hand,  according 
to  the  fure  rules  and  patterns— That  anabaptifm, 
familifm,  antinomianifm,  and  generally  all  errors 
of  like  nature,  which  oppofe,  undermine  and 
flight  either  the  fcriptures,  the  fabbath  or  other 
ordinances  of  God  and  bring  in  and  cry  up  un- 
warrantable revelations,  inventions  of  men,  or  any 
carnal  liberty^  under  a  deceitful  colour  of  liberty  of 
canfcienre,  may  be  feafonabiy  and  duly  fuppreil  ; 
though  they  wifh  as  much  forbearance  and  re- 
fpect  may  be  had  of  tender  confcicnces,  feeking 
light,  as  may  ftand  with  the  purity  of  religion  and 
peace  of  the  churches."  The  commiilioners  for 
Plymouth,  Brown  and  Hatherlyj'Niid  not  concur 
with  this.* 

Mr.  Winflow  was  then  gone  to  England,  from 
whence  he  never  returned  ;~  and  not  having  hi* 

\  y  y  influence, 

*  MilT.  bift,  vol,  3,  p,  153,    15-j. — Recordaof  the  UuitscJ 


53S      HISTORY  of  the  BAPTISTS 

influence,  all  the  minifters  in  Plymouth  colony, 
and  the  Maffachurctts  court  to   help  them,  could 
not  prevail  in  1650,   with  governor  Bradford,  and 
his  court,  to  inflict  fo  much  as  a  fine  upon  Mr. 
Holmes  ;  who   was  mofl  cruelly  whipt  at  Boflon 
the  next  year,  p.    213,  &c.     Said  minifters  were 
not  of  the  original  planters  of  Plymouth  colony, 
and  becaufe  their  court  would  not  be  governed  by 
them,  the  moil  of  them  left  it,   and  carried  their 
complaints  to  Bofton,  from  whence  frefli  exertions 
were  made,  which  then  in  a  mcalurc  introduced  a, 
Jlate-ivorjlnpy     and  Jiaft-ivay   of  maintenance   into 
Plymouth  colony.     Though  the   bloody  work  that 
followed  at   Bofton,  gave  inch  a  fliock   to  it  as 
turned  them  back  again  in  a  great  meaiure.     Mr, 
John   Brown    had  been    a   magiftratc    17   years, 
and  a  commiflioncr  for  his  colony  i  i   yeai  s,   even 
down  to  1656.  And  wc  are  told  that  he  was,"  well 
accompliftied  with  abilities  both  civil  and  religious, 
and  attained,  through  grace,  unto  a  comfortable 
perfuafion  of  the  love  and  favour  of  God  to  him  ; 
lie  falling  lick  of  a  fever,  with  much  ferenity  and 
fpiritual  comfort  fell  afleep  in  the  Lord,  at  Wan- 
namoiict  near  Rehoboth,  in  the  fpring  of  the  year 
1662.'*  *    His  fon  James  joined  the  next  year  in- 
forming a  baptift  church  there,  and  both  in  1665, 
and  1666,  the  freemen  through  the  colony  clecled 
him  for  one  of  their  magiftrates,  at  the  lame  time 
that  the  MafTachufctts  court  disfranchifed  two  of 
their   ancient  freemen,   for   no  worfc  crime  than 
Mr.  Brown  then  lived  in.     And  though    he  did 
not  fee  caufe  then  to  accept  of  that  oillcc,  yet  be- 
ing chofen  again  in  1673,  he  acccpced  it,  and  ferv- 
cd  his  colony  therein  eleven  years  ;  in    the  midft 
of  which    time   perfecution  was   again   revived  at 
Bofton,   and   Mr.   Brown  and  his  minifter  \  ^rc 

fined 
*  Marten,  p.   175,  176* 


P1690]       IN  NEW-EN  GLAND.       S3^ 

fined  for  vifiting  their  afflicted  brethren  there. 
With  what  face  then  caw  any  man  reproach  New- 
En  b^l  and  in  general,  with  the  perfecutions  which 
its  tirft  founders,  and  many  of  its  bell  members 
afterward  abhorred !  And  of  all  men  how  inex- 
cufable  are  epifcopaHans  in  fo  doing,  when  it  was 
the  errors  the  Maflachufetcs  brought  out  of  their 
church  that  produced  all  thofe  miichi^ U,  ot  which 
they  were  then,  and  have  been  ever  hnce,  much 
more  guilty  than  thoie  they  complain  of  here  ! 
In  England  and  Scotland  they  in  that  day  dellroy- 
ed  more  hundreds  of  lives,  in  trying  to  eflablifli 
t\\tiv  fupremacy  over  the  confciences  of  men ^  than  the 
Mallachufetts  hanged  perlons.  And  they  have 
not  only  always  taxed  difiencers  to  their  ininitters 
wherever  they  couid  get  power  to  do  it,  but  alfo 
in  Virginia  they  have  fined  and  imprifoncd  our 
minifters  only  for  preaching  without  their  li- 
cence ;  and  continued  this  cruel  trade  till  the 
prcicnt  rapture  put  a  flop  to  it.  3.  Hence  ie* 
the  pernicious  evil  of  uling  carnal  weapons  in  re- 
ligious affliirs.  Papifts,  epifcopaHans,  prefbyteri- 
ans  and  congregationalifts  have  all  tried  it  in  their 
turns  ;  but  inifead  ot  giving  up  the  root  of  this 
mifchicf,  they  have  each  of  them  tried  to  call 
all  the  reproach  of  it,  upon  the  bad  difpofitions 
of  their  neighbours  ;  and  fo  it  has  been  a  con- 
flant  fource  of  raillarly  and  flander.  But  where- 
can  a  better  fet  of  men  be  found  upon  earth,  fince 
Conftantine  iirft  brought  the  carnal  weapon  into 
the  church,  who  concurcd  in  ufing  of  it  there, 
than  the  fathers  of  the  Maflachufetts  ?  Look  back 
to  p.  138 — 141,  and  then  tell  me  where  you  can 
find  a  more  excellent  ruler  than  governor  Win-, 
throp,  ^at  ever  travelled  in  that  path  ?  And  Mr, 
Shepard  of  Canjbridgc,  who  died  five  month.^  af*. 


J40      HISTORY  OF  the  BAPTISTS 

ter  hlm^  faid,  *'  Surely  all  tlie  peribns,  whofc 
hearts  tl-ie  Lord  liirrcd  up  in  this  bufineis,  were 
»ot  rafli,  weak-fpirited,  iticoniideiate  of  wLat 
they  left  behind,  or  what  it  was  to  go  into  a  vviU 
dernets.  But  it  we  were  able  to  recount  the  fm- 
gular  workings  of  divine  providence,  for  the 
bringing  on  this  work,  to  what  it  i$  come  unto, 
it  would  ttop  the  mouths  ot  all.  AVhatever  many 
may  fay  or  think,  we  believe  after  times  will  ad- 
rnire  and  adore  the  Lord  herein,  wlien  ail  his  hoiv 
ends,  and  the  ways,  he  has  \iied  to  bring  thera 
about  Iliali  appear.: — What  fhall  we  fay  of  the  fin- 
gulai'  providence  of  God,  in  bringing  fo  many 
ihip-load  of  his  people  thiough  fo  many  dangers, 
with  fo  niuch  lafety  from  year  to  year  *  '1  he 
fatherly  care  of  our  God,  in  feeding  and  cloathing 
fo  many  in  a  wildesYicfs,  giving  Inch  licakhincls 
and  great  increafe  of  poiterity  ?•— -But  above  all 
"We  mull  acknowledge  the  finguiar  pity  and  mer- 
cies of  our^God,  that  hath  done  all  this,  and  much 
more,  for  a  people  fo  unv/orthy,  fp  hntul,  that  by 
murmurings  ofmany,  unfaithfulnefs  hi  promifes, 
oppre'jicns^  and  other  evils  that  are  found  among 
US,  have  fo  diOionorcd  his  majelty,  expoled  his 
work  here,  to  much  fcandal  and  obliquy,  for 
Vi^hich  we  have  caufe  forever  to  be  aihamed,  that 
the  Lord  iliould  yet  own  us,  and  rather  correct  us 
in  meafurc,  than   cad.  us  off  ia    difplcafure,  and 

feat  ter 

*  It  wa^  cortipjted  thiit  from  1628  to  1643  (when  tht  time* 
t;irni»d  in  Eni:liind,  and  feme  went  bi<ckj  thu  ihc  numl  er  of  Ihips 
V'hich  brought  them  over  "were  298  ;  ihc  men,  women  and  chil- 
f^ren  whocsire  in  thcvn  2  1, 200  or  thereabout.  That  thf  psilagc 
t^t^iie  perf on s  CO <^  9^,000! .  the  live  flock,  i7,oool.  befidc  tre 
price  of  them  in  EngUnd  ;  procuring  food  till  they  co'jld  rsifc 
it  beie,^  4,-,00o,  nails,  gl^fs  and  oiler  material  for  building, 
J  8  coo!,  arms  ynd  smmtinitibn.  22,000,  in  all  1 92*000,  be- 
ftt^e  much  more  which  the  adventures  laid  Out  in  Engluud  i9-t 
*Ueir  ufc.  Johafon,  p.  2S— 31. 


[1690]      IN    NEW-ENGLAND.      541 

fcatter  us  in  this  wildernefs,*'^  Wc  are  informed 
that  when  governor  Winthrop  lay  on  his  death 
bed,  Mr.  Dudley  requefted  him  to  lign  a  warrant 
to  banifli  Mr.  Mathews  a  Welch  minilicr,  but  that 
he  retul'ed,  iaying,  *'  I  have  had  any  hand  too 
much  in  fuch  things  already."  f 

Captain  Roger  Clap,  one  of  the  firft  planters 
ofDorcheftcr,  the  commander  of  Caftie- William 
for  20  years,  and  who  bore  feveral  other  oftlccs  in 
the  flate  with  honor,  and  died  in  Bofton  in  1691, 
in  fuch  eftecm  that  the  whole  general  afiembly 
attend  his  funeral,  wrote  fome  memorials  of  thofc 
early  times,  with  his  fatherly  advice  to  his  chil- 
dren. And  obferving  that  thciryi?r^/Vj'  were  fomc- 
times  fo  great  that  the  very  crufts  of  his  father's 
table  in  England  would  have  been  as  a  dainty  in 
this  wilderneis  he  fays,  "I  took  notice  of  it,  a;^ft 
great  favour  of  God  unto  me,  not  only  to  pre- 
lerve  my  life,  but  to  give  mc  contcntednefs  in  all 
thciQ  llraits  :  infomuch  that  1  do  not  remember 
that  I  ever  wifhed  in  my  heart  that  I  had  not 
come  into  this  country,  nor  wifbed  myfelf  back 
again.  Yea,  I  was  fo  far  from  that,  that  I  vvifhed 
and  advifed  fome  of  my  dear  brethren  to  come  hi- 
ther alfo  ;  which  accordingly  one  of  my  brofshers, 
and  thofc  who  married  my  two  fillers,  fold  their 
means,  and  came  hither.  The  Lord  Jefus  Chrift 
was  fo  plainly  held  out  in  the  preaching  of  the 
gofpcl  unto  poor  loft  fmners,  and  the  abfoiute  ne- 
ceiliiy  of  the  new  birth,  aad  God'^'s  holy  fpirit  ia 
thofe  days  accompanied  the  word  with  fuch  efficacy 
upon  the  hearts  of  many,  that  our  hearts  were 
taken  off  from  Old-Lngland,  and  fct  uponii  raven. 
Many  were  converted,  and  others  eftabiifhed  in 
believing.    Many  joined  unto  the  feveral  churches 

where 
*Mjgnilia,  B.    3.P.S9.        f  Bifhop,  p.  157, 


i^4z     H  iSTOilt  of  rME  BAPTISTS 

where  they  lived,  confeffing  their  faith  publickly, 
and  (hewing  before  all  the  ajjhnbiy^  their  experiencei 
^ej the  workings  of  God^ s fpirit  in  their  hearts ^  to  bring 
them  to  Chnji ;  which  many  hearers  found  very 
much  good  by,  to  help  them  to  try  their  own 
hearts,  and  to  conlider  how  it  was  with  them  ;*— 
Oh  the  mahy  tears  that  have  been  Ihcd  in  Dor- 
chcder  meeting-houfe  at  iuch  times,  both  by  thofc 
that  have  declared  God's  work  on  their  iouis,  and 
ahb  by  thofe  who  heard  them  !  in  thofe  daysGod, 
%v»n  our  own  God,  did  blefs  New-England*"  * 
j^NOTiiiR  of"  their  Captains  who  came  over  in 
1630,  lays,  "  Thole  honored  perfons  who  were 
now  in  place  of  government,  having  the  propaga- 
tion of  the  churches  of  Ghriil  in  their  eye,  labor(cd 
by  all  means  to  make  room  for  inhabitants, 
knowing  well  that  where  the  carcafs  is,  thither 
Will  the  eagle  refort.  But  herein  they  were  op- 
polcd  by  c<itain  perfons,  whofc  greedy  dcfire  for 
land,  much  hindi  ed  the  work  for  a  time  ;  as  in- 
deed fuch  perfons  do  to  this  day;  and  let  fuch 
tnke  notice  how  thefe  were  cured  of  this  dillem- 
per.  Some  were  taken  away  by  death,  and  then 
befure  they  had  land  enough.  Others  fearino* 
poverty  and  famifhmcnt,  fuppofing  the  pieient 
fcarcity  would  never  be  turned  into  plenty,  re- 
moved thcmfelvcs  away,  and  fo  never  beheld  the 
great  good  the  Lord  hath  done  for  his  people. 
But  the  vahant  of  the  Lord  waited  with  patience, 
and  in  the  mifs  of  beer,  fupplled  themfelvcs  with 
water  ;  even  the  moll  honored  as  well  as  others, 
contentedly  rejoicing  in  a  cup  of  cold  water  ; 
ble/fing  the  Lord  that  had  given  them  to  tafie  of 
that  living  water,  and  that  they  had  not  the  water 
that  flakes  tiiethirfl  of  their  natural  bodies,  given 

them 
•Piiiics's  Chdftiaa  hiftory,  vol,  i.  p.  70-^72, 


[1690]      IN  N  E  W-E  N  G  L  A  N  D.       543 

tliem  by  mcafure,  but  might  drink  to  the  full ;  as 
alio  in  the  abfence  of  bread,  they  plcafed  thenj^ 
felves  with  fiih.  The  women  once  a  day,  as  the 
tidefervcd,  reforted  to  themulclcs  and  clam-banks, 
\vhcre  they  daily  gathered  their  families  food,  with 
much  heavenly  dilcoufe  of  the  piovihons  Chrift 
formerly  made  for  many  thoufands  of  his  followers 
in  the  wildernefs.  Qiioth  one,  my  hufband  hath 
traveled  as  far  as  Plymouth,  [about  40  milesj  and 
hath  with  great  toil  brought  a  Ifttle  corn  home, 
and  before  that  is  fpent  the  Lord  will  aflurcdly 
provide  :  quoth  the  other,  Our  lafl  peck  of  meal 
is  in  the  oven  at  home  a  baking,  and  many  of  our 
godly  neighbours  have  quite  fpent  all,  and  we 
owe  one  loaf  of  that  litde  we  have.  Then  fpake 
a  third,  My  hufband  hath  ventered  himfelf  an^ong 
the  Indians  for  corn,  and  can  get  none,  as  alio 
our  honored  governor  hath  diftributcd  his  (o  far, 
that  a  day  or  two  more  will  put  an  end  to  his  ilore 
and  all  the  reft  ;  and  yet  methinks  our  children 
are  cheerful,  fat  and  lufty,  with  feeding  upon  thefe 
mufcles,  clams  and  other  fifh,  as  they  wer^  in  Eng^ 
land,  with  their  fill  of  bread,  which  makes  m^ 
cheerful  in  the  Lord's  providing  for  lis  ;  being 
further  confirmed  by  the  exortation  of  our  paftor 
to  truft  in  the  Lord,  whofe  is  the  earth,  and  th^ 
fulnefs  thereof.  As  they  were  encouraging  one 
another  in  Chrift's  careful  providing  for  them, 
they  lift  up  their  eyes  and  faw  two  lliips  coming 
in,  and  prefently  this  news  comes  to  their  ears, 
tbatth«y  were  come  from  Ireland  full  of  victuals."* 

Oh! 

•  In  one  of  thofe  (hips  came  Mr.  RojrerWillnms.  Jbmjcn,  p.' 
48,  49  Vrince!  annuals,  p.  18,  47.  Wc  are  told  that  one  of  the 
iathcrs  of  that  day,  h/iving  dined  witk  his  friends  on  clams  with- 
out bread,  devotly  returned  thanks,  thst  God  h;^d  caufcd  thcni 
lofnek  sfthe  abundance  of  thifui,  and  of  treajures  hid  in  thefan4a 


544      HISTORY  or  the  BAPTISTS 

Oh  !  how  glorloufly  do  they  fliinc,  and  how 
manfully  do  they  talk,when  excrcifing  thcmfelves 
in  the  gofpel  armour,  to  what  they  do  when  they 
come  down  to  the  ufe  of  earthly  weapons  in  hea- 
venly concernments  !  In  1645  they  compared  the 
baptifts  oppofition  to  fuch  condutfl,  to  what  Ame- 
lek  did  to  Ifracl  ivhen  they  "ujere  weak.  And  the 
creding  of  a  fmall  baptiil  church  in  1665,  was 
called  2iJiroi'q^  attempt  again/l  them  from  the  fpu 
Ytt  of  anabapi-fm  ;  the  permiilion  of  which  among 
them  they  laid,  manifeitly  tended  to  the  dejlruc 
t'lon  ofthiir  churches^  though  they  had  above  forty 
of  them  then  in  their  colony,  in  joint  communion: 
\vith  about  as  many  more  in  neighbouring  colo- 
nies.* And  in  i63i  they  compared  their  ecclefi- 
aftical  cftablifliment  to  ■dijhwll  bcat^  and  thofe  few 
illetiratc  baptifts  to  the  bailaft  of  a_g-rt'^/y?;/)>,which 
"Was  like  to  Jink  it.  Hence  it  was  their  weaknefs, 
and  not  their  flrength,  that  caufcd  them  to  treat 
the  baptifts  fo  cruelly.  '  The  extending  of  the  gof- 
pel ordinance  of  baptifm  to  fubjects  who  are  in  a 
flate  of  nature  ;  the  limitting  the  church  of  Chrill 
to  human  fchools  for  minifters,  and  compelling  all 
to  fupport  fueh  and  only  fuch,  arc  points  \yhich 
had  but  a  weak  bottom  to  ftand  upon  in  that  day, 
when  the  power  cf  godliiiej}  was  fo  well  known  in 
the  country. 

•  Chriiliaa  bill.  Toh  i>  p.  64. 


APPENDIX. 


APPENDIX* 

CONTAINING 

A  BRIEF   SUMMARY 

O    F      T    H     E 

ECCLESIASTICAL  AFFAIRS 

OF     THIS      COUNTRY, 
POWN       TO     THE     PRESENT     TIME. 

F  OUR  prineiples  have,  in  different  ages  and 
countries,  been  propo;^ed  to  found  govern«» 
inent  upon,- viz.  nature,  grace,  power  and  com* 
pad.  James  the  firft  took  much  pains  to  perl'uadc 
his  people,  tliat  he  was  born  to  rule  them  ;  evea 
fo  that  the  privileges  he  was  plcaied  to  allow  th^m.^ 
wererariher  favours  from  him,  than  original  riglita 
in  them.  And  his  flattering  courtiei  s,  perceivin.r 
his  humor,  gave  him  the  title  of  facred  inaje/lyy. 
which  the  kingdom  was  very  little  acquainted  with 
before.  His  high  claims  occafioned  perpetual' 
troubles  to  himlelf,  and  coil  his  fon  hi?  crown 
and  the  head  that  wor«  it.  And  when  facts  are 
examined  it  appears,  that  Henry. VIl,  from  whonx 
came  their  hereditary  title,  liad  as  little  right  hy- 
birch  to  the  crown  of  England,  as  any  ma'.\  that 
had  worn  it  in  500  years  \  and  lie  made  his  way  to 
it  thro'  blood  and  (laughter.*  The  Pope  has  been- 
the  moft  notable  advocate  for  founding  dominion 
in  grace  ;  and  by  deceitful  reafon'ings  fiom  the  jcw-t 
ilh  /;^;2(^-Tm//«^,  he  has  ufurped  the   feat  oi 'aiv^. 

who      is      HEAD      OF     ALL      I' Rl  N  CIP  A  LLITY     ^V\X>. 

POWER.     Henry  VIl i  took   ofl'ence  at   the.  pope's 
condud,  and  rejecting  his  power  aflumed  it  to 

himfeU" 
*ilapln,  vol.  2;  p.  160,161, 


«  APPENDIX. 

himfelf  ;  and  many  others,  not  kilding  the  HEAtr, 
have  rubjcfcled  ibiils  to  flav'ilh  ordinances^  after  thg 
dodf'mcs  and  cummandihait:  of  nun.  Qo\.  2.  Crom- 
well was  a  notable  actor  upon  the  third  piir^ciple, 
■ivho  having  gotten  the  power  into  his  hands, 
pleaded  that  he  ought  to  uic  it  for  the  grid  of 
ttlc  nation  :  and  his  enemies  acknowledge  the  ex- 
cellency of  his  taliants  for  gcvtrnmcnt,  ir  Lc  had 
but  obtained  his  power  in  a  righteous  way.  But 
he  dyisg  Icit  tre  nation  in  great  conluiion;  to 
get  relief  ti  om  which  they  reltorcd  the  fccond 
Charles,  with  good  words  and  fair  fpeeclies;  with- 
out fettling  any  fixed, and  certain  conditions  with 
him.  Soon  after  which,  prieiici.i.'t  was  ufed  to 
ftir  up  tumults  in  different  parts  of  the  country, 
and  then  to  cry,  i hi,  church  is  in  danger  !  which 
moved  the  parliament  to  make  laws  to  exclude 
all  perfons  from  teaching  cither  in  churches  or 
fchools,  who  rcfufed  an  ali'ent  and  confcnt  to  tkeir 
6rdi nances  ofmen^  and  alfo  to  declare  it  to  be  un- 
lawful to  take  up  armr/  againft  the  king,  upon  any 
^ret'nce  whatfocver.  And,  as  Dr.  Calamy  observes-, 
pafRve  obedience  and  non-refihance,  was  the  doc- 
trine that  for  25  years  made  their  pulpits  ring  and 
prclTes  groani  Yet  no  fooner  was  this  doctrine 
turned  againft  the  epifcopalians  than  behoki  \ 
they  called  in  the  prince  of  Orange,  with  an  armed 
force  to  dri've  their  king  from  his  throne  \  x^nd  now 
the  fourth  principle  is  prefered,  and  a  compact, 
containing  a  large  bill  of  rights,  is  made  v.ith 
"William  before  his  coronation  •,  and  he  and  his 
cjueen  were  brought,  "  folcmnly  to  promife  and 
iwear  to  govern  the  people  of  the  kingdom  of 
England,  and  the  dominions  thereto  belongings 
according  to  tlie  flatutes  in  parliament  agreed  on, 
aad  t)>e  laws   and  cufloms  of  the  fame  j  and  to 

their 


f,690        A    P    P    E    N   B  I  y.  jf 

their  power  to  caufelaw  andjufticctobe  executed 
;in  mercy,  in  ail  their  judganents."  And  enacled 
that  this  oat:i  'houid  be  taiccn  by  all  their  iuccef- 
fors  in  that  v>iHce. 

Now  tiic  word  of  God  plainly  fliews,  that  this 
way  ot  mutual  conipact  or  covenant,  is  the  only 
rigMreous  fiouadation  ror  civil  government.  For. 
when  lirael  mult  needs  have  a  king  like  the  rei^ 
of  the  naaons,  and  he  indulged  thern  in  that  re- 
•queft,  yet  neither  S')ul  nor  David,  who  were  a-- 
nointed  by  his  iiumcdiatc  direcUon,  ever  aiiumed 
the  regal  power  over  the  people,  buc  by  their 
freeconlent.  And  though  the  :ami;y  of  David 
had  the  cleared  claim  to  hereditary  iucceiilon,tLat 
any  family  on  earth  ever  had,  yet  when  ten  of 
the  twelve  tribes  revolted  from  hi.>  grandton,  be* 
caufc  he  retafed  to  comply  with  v.^hatthey  eftecm- 
cd  a  reafonable  propofa),  and  hs  had  collected  aa 
army  to  bring  them  back  by  force,  God  warned 
him  not  to  do  it,  and  he  obeyed  him  therein.  Had 
thefepiain  precedents  been  regarded  in  later  times, 
what  woes  and  miferies  would  they  have  pre- 
vented !  But  the;  hiftory  of  all  ages  and  nations 
ilicws,  that  when  men  have  got  the  power  into 
their  hands,  they  often  ufe  it  to  gratify  their  own 
lulls,  and  recur  to  nature,  religion  or  the  conlU- 
tution  (as  they  think  will  beft  ferve)  to  carry  and 
yet  cover  their  wretched  dcligns  j  a  lamentable 
proof  of  which  is  now  before  us. 

Dr.  Mather,  as  a  capable  and  faithful  friend  to 
his  country,  laboured  unwcaricdlv  to  have  the. 
rights  and  privileges  of  it  rcllored  and  enlarged  ; 
in  order  to  which  he  prevailed  Avith  archbifliop 
Tillotfon  to  tell  the  king  that,  "'  it  would  by  n'^ 
means  do  well  for  him  to  take  any  of  thofc  privi- 
leges from  the  j^eo^le  of  Nevr-ELgland,    whicl\ 

kipg 


%  APPENDIX. 

kingChar^cs  the  fiift  had  granted  them."  And 
obtained  a  promii'e  from  bilhop  Burnet  that,  "  On 
the  lirii  oppcrtunity  he  would  declare  openly  in 
the  houfe  oliords,  that  there  was  a  greater  sa- 
CREDNis;^  in  the  CHARTER  of  New-England,  than 
in  tiiofe  of  the  corporations  in  England  ;  becaufe 
thofe  \A'erc  only  acfs  of  grace,  whereas  the  chartci: 
of  New-EngLuid  v\ms  a  contract  between  the 
k'ng  and  the 'irft  patentees.  Ihey  promifed  the 
]vi-  g  to  enlarge  his  dominions  on  their  own 
charge*^,  provided  they  and  their  poitcrity  might 
enjoy  iuch  and  fiici->  privileges  ;  they  had  periorm- 
cd  tht'ir  p<.rt,  now  for  the  king  to  deprive  their 
poftciity  of  the  privileges  therein  gianted  -un'^o 
them-  would  carry  a  face  of  injiiftice  in  it.'*  1  his 
had  fome  effect  upon  the  king's  puind,  and  caufed 
ji  fcruple  whetiier  he  might  /aufu/Iy  take  from  us 
the  privilege  of  choohng  cur  chief  rulers  or  not. 
To  this  fome  of  his  arbitary  councellors  faid, 
<'  Wiiatever  might  be  the  merit  of  the  caufe,  in--^ 
afmuch  as  the  charter  of  the  Mafliichufetts  flood 
vacated  by  a  judgment  againft  it,  it  was  in  his- 
poivfr  to  put  thein  under  what  form  of  govern- 
jp.f'nt  he  iliould  think  beil  for  them."*  This  was 
fo  flattering  and  plaufable  that  it  took  with  Wil- 
liam, who  had  often  heard  of  thcr  perfccutions 
3iere.  and  thought  tliat  by  referving  to  himfdf  a, 
power  to  negative  all  their  acls,  he  fhould  prevent 
the  like  for  the  future. 

Accordingly  a  new  charter  was  drawn  dated 
Ocf.  7,  1691  which  included  Plymouth  colony, 
confiftiiig'of  the  counties  of  Plymouth,  Barnfta- 
b!e  and  Brifiol  ;  the  MalTachufett  colony,  which, 
contained  the  counties  of  Suffolk,Middlefcx,E{rex, 
Worcefter,  Hamplhire  and  Berkfliire  :    the  pro^ 

vinc€ 

5  Mjithcrs life,  p.  126,  127,  i32.' 


[i69i]        APPENDIX.         $ 

virice  of  r^aine,  viz,  the  counties  of  York  and 
Cumberland  ;  and  Sagadchock,  which,  with  lands 
annexed  in  the  county  of  Lincoln, extends  toNova- 
Scotia.  The  iflands  alfo  fouth  of  Cape-Cod  were 
included  in  this  charter  of  The  Province  of  the  Maf' 
fachufett's-Biiy  in  New-England,  which  refcrved  aa 
arbitary  power  in  the  crown,  to  appoint  our  go- 
vernor, lieutenant  governor  and  fecrctary  ;  but 
thnt  the  people  might  choofe  a  houfs  of  reprcfcn- 
tatives  annually,  to  meet  upon  the  laft  Wednef- 
day  in  May  ;  when  they  were  to  elect  28  coun- 
cellors,  which  was  to  be  their  legillature  ;  the 
council  and  houfe  to  have  a  negative  on  each  o- 
thers  acts,  and  after  both  were  agreed  therein,  yet 
the  governor,  or  in  his  abfence  the  lieutenant  go- 
vernor, might  negative  any  ad;  they  could  pafs, 
and  alfo  negative  the  election  of  as  many  coun- 
cillors as  he  pleafed.  Upon  all  times  except  elec- 
tion day,  he  could  call,  adjourn,  prorogue  or  dif- 
folve  the  aflembly  at  pleafure.  He  had  the  fole 
power  of  appointing  militar}'-  officers  ;  and  was 
to  appoint  all  officers  of  the  courts  of  juftice  with 
the  confent  of  the  council ;  other  civil  officers  were 
elected  by  the  two  houfes,  where  he  had  his  nega« 
live ;  and  no  money  could  iiTue  out  of  the  treafury 
but  by  his  warrant  by  the  advice  and  confent  of  the 
coiincil.  And  after  all,  the  king  in  council  could, 
at  any  time  within  three  years,  difanmil  any  act 
or  law  that  all  three  branches  here  could  make. 
Now  from  whence  came  this  arbitrary  power 
in  the  crown  of  England  over  this  country  ?  Their 
plea  founded  upon  the  vacation  of  the  former  con*' 
trad,  would  dilannul  any  contra<5t  that  could 
poffibly  be  made  with  any  diftant  people  in  thq 
world  ;  for,  a  complain<t  againft  us  was  entered 
and  judgment  was  paiTed,  before  wc  could  poffibly 

liaY« 


f  AFPENBIX. 

have  opportunity  to  anfvver  for  oiirfjlvcs.  The 
cKarter  or  the  city  oi  Lot; don  was  vacated  by  the 
iamc  couit,  where  they  had  oppojuiniiy  to  anf- 
"wcr  ;  but  tliey  would  not  crown  Wi.iiani  and 
Mary,  till  that  judgment  ^vas  rcvtifed,  and  all  the 
ch.irters  in  England  reliored,  and.  their  privileges 
enlarged  much  beyond  what  they  were  when  th« 
coritriid  was  made  with  New  iin gland.  An  J  in 
that  the  king  engaged  tor  hijiileit,  ijis  heirs  and 
iuccellbrs,  that  we  ftiou'd  hold  our  lands, '"'  ia 
free  and  common  ioccagc  and  not  in  capice,  nor  by 
knight'^  iervice,  we  yielding  and  paying  to  hiu'i  his 
heirs  and  lucceflbrs  the  Jift/j  pari  on.y  of  all  ore  of 
gold  and  hiver,  which  from  time  to  time  and  at 
•aii  times  hereafter  Ihall  be  gotten,  had  or  obtained, 
for  all  fervices,  exaci'wns  and  de?nands.ivhatfoe'ver.*'* 
And  let  our  opprelTors  ihcw  if"  they  can  that  we 
ever  violated    this  contract. 

And  as  to  affairs  htic  the  charter  declared, 
<"  Libeity  of  coofciencc  in  the  ^"orfliip  of  God  to 
all  chrildans,  except  papiits,  inhabiting  or  which 
Ihail  inhabit  or  be  relident  within  our  faid  province 
©r  territory.  '  But  this  moif  important  article  was 
conilured  by  t]ie  minifters  as  meaning,  *'  That  the 
general  court  might,  by  laws,  encourage  and /)r6/^t7 
that  religion  which  is  the  general  profeflioH  of  the 
inhabitants."  t 

And  accordingly  they  in  Oclpber  thi»  year  began 
the  pra<rdcc,  which  a  noted  author  defciited  34 
years  after,  in  the  following  mc.>»(;r.  After  recit- 
ing an  old  fayi^ig,  that  mlnijiers  of  the  gof pel  'would 
have  a  poor  time'' of  it,  if  they  ^I'fi  feh  on  a  fee  contrt- 
bution  of  the  pjople  for  their  m;inttna7ic£,  he  fay^', 
*'  The  laws  of  the  province  having  had  the  roy^il 
approbation  to  ratify  themjthey  are  the  kings  laws* 

•  Alilt.  hift.  vd!.  3.  p.  8, 9.       t  MilT,  hift.  vpl.  i-  p.  ig,- 


[1^90  A?PENDir,  y 

By  thefelaws  it  is  €na(?led,that  there  fliali  be  apublio 
woiiliip  of  God  in  every  pbntation  ;  that  the  per- 
fon  elecled  by  the  majority  of  the  inhabitants  to 
be  fb,  ihall  be  looked  upon  as  the  minitter  of  the 
place  ;  that  the  lalcry  for  him  which  they  fliall 
agree  upon,  fhall  be  levied  by  a  rate  upon  all  the 
inhabitanrs.  In  confequence'of  this,  the  minifter 
thus  chofen  by  the  people,  is  (not  only  Chiift's 
but  alfj)  in  reaHity  the  King's  minifter  ;  and  the 
falcry  for  h'.m  i-.  railed  in  the  King's  name,  and  is 
thvi  Kin?"*;,  allowaiire  unto  hiu].  If  the  moft  of  the 
inhabitants  in  a  plantation  are  cpilcopalians,  they 
will  have  a  niinidcr  of  their  own  perluafion  ;  and 
the  dfffenlors^  if  there  be  any  in  the  place,  mud 
pay  their  proportion  of  the  tr*x  for  the  fupport  of 
this  /egdi  m'lmjler.  In  a  few  of  the  towns,  a  few 
of  the  people,  in  hope  of  being  releafed  from  the 
tax  for  the  legal  minifter,  fomctimcs  profcfs  them- 
felves  cpifcopaIian5 ;  but  when  they  plead  this  for 
their  exemption,  their  neighbours  tell  them,  they 
know  in  their  confciertces,  they  do  fist  as  they  ivou/cl 
be  done  unto.  And  if  a  governor  go  by  his  arbitary 
power  to  fupercced  the  execution  of  the  law,  and 
require  the  juftices  and  conftablcs  to  kave  the 
epifcopalians  out  of  the  tax,  the  people  wonder  he 
is  not  aware,  that  he  is  all  this  while  forbidding 
that  the  King  fhould  have  his  dues  paid  unto  him  ; 
and  forbidding  the  King's  minifter  to  receive  what 
the  King  has  given  him. — Sometimes  the  quakcrs 
alfo  have  given  fome  occafion  for  uneafmefs ;  but 
where  quakerifm  is  troublefome,  fome  towns  are 
fo  wile  as  to  involve  the  falery  for  the  miniftry  in 
a  general  rate  for  all  town  charges,  and  fo  the 
cavils  of  thofe,  who  would  elfe  refufe  to  pay  the 
rate  for  the  miniftry,  are  obviated.'*  * 

A 
*  Mzi^ici'i  Ratio  difclplinat^.  tg— 2*; 


f.  APPENDIX. 

A  FEW  fa(fls  may  help  to  explain  this,  and  to 
fiicw  how  much  greater  liberty  of  confciencc  \vc 
have  enjoyed  iince  the  revolution  than  before. 
Before  tliat  memorable  event,  no  man  in  the  Maf- 
fachufctt  colony  was  allowed  a  vote,  in  choofing 
either  minifter  or  ruler,  but  members  in  lull  com- 
munion in  their  churches.  And  the  fkiil  of  know- 
ing, that  thofe  who  dilTcntcd  from  their  judgments 
fimied  agmajl  then  oivn  confciences,  was  then  limilted 
to  fuch  good  men  ;  but  now,  having  forcy  poundi 
worth  of  perfonal  eftatej  or  a  freehold  worth  forty 
fhiUings  a  year,  intitles  every  inhabitant  to  a  vote 
in  all  furh  affairs,  and  to  a  power  of  judging  that 
their  neighbours  fm  againft  the  golden  nf!e,  it  they 
v/ill  not  put  into  the  mmihs  of  him  whom  the  ma- 
jority has  declared  to  be  the  legal 7h'm'ijler.  And 
from  that  day  to  this,  it  is  made  a  doubt  among 
our  lawyers  and  judges,  whether  a  church  of 
Chrift  ht-Si  foclety  known  in  lato,  fo  as  to  be  capable 
of  holding  a  meeting-houfe  or  other  eftates,  with- 
out having  other  perlbns  to  be  truftccs  or  guardians 
for  them.  And  the  honorable  Edward  Goddard, 
Efq;  of  Framingham,  who  had  been  a  member, 
both  of  the  lower  and  upper  houfe  in  our  Icgif- 
lature,  defcribed  this  matter  to  the  life,  in  a  piece 
ke  publiflicd  in  1753,  wherein  he  fays. 

Good  confcie'nce  men  allow   (they  fiy) 

But  muft  be  underftood. 

To  fay  as  they  fay  themfelve*  do  fay, 

Or  elfe  it  can't  be  good. 
For  36  years  after  the  Mafiachufetts  received 
their  laft  charter,  they  exerted  all  their  po\Ter, 
both  in  theirjegiflatlve  and  executive  courts,^vith 
every  art  that  miniftcrs  could  help  them  to,  m 
attempts  to  compel  every  tov>n  to  receive  and  fnp- 
port  fuch  minifters  as  they  called  orthodox.  They 
made  tw«  attempts  of  this  nature  upon  Swanzcy  5 

sia4 


A    P    P    E   N   D  r  It.  9 

*and  in  1722,  they  added  tlie  fum  of  172I.  115.  to 
the  province  taxes  upon  DaiimouLh  and  livtrton, 
for  lucli  minifters,  intending  tiiat  tliey  ihou.d 
draw  it  out  of  the  province  ticifary.  nnd 
for  rcrafia;]j  to  afTcfs  the  lami:,  Jjleph  Anthony, 
John  Siilijn,  John  Akin  (quaker: )  and  I  Liiip 
labor  (a  baptiil  rniniiter)  fclect-men  or  tiiofe 
towns,  were  t'eized  and  confined  in  iirii»o'  goal^ 
till  the  cafe  was  carried  to  England,  and  thc^c 
taxes  were  difaanulied  by  the  king  in  council,  and 
an  exprefs  order  was  fcnt  over  to  rtleafc  them*. 
And  the  lirit  ad  that  was  made  in  cur  province, 
to  exempt  either  biptifts  or  quakers  from  laxes  to 
pedobiptift  minifters  was  in  1728  ;  w]:iicii  fays, 
*'  That  from  and  after  tne  publication  o:  this  acl, 
none  of  the  perfons  commonly  called  anab^ntifts, 
nor  any  of  thofe  called  quakers,  that  arc  or  iliall 
be  enrolled  or  ent(jred  in  their  fevcral  ioci;;ii.cs  as 
members  thereof, and  wh'o  alledge  a  fcrupie  of  con~ 
fcience  as  the  reafon  of  their  rcfufal  to  pay  any 
part  or  proportion  of  fuch  taxes,  as  are  from  time 
to  time  aiTefled  for  the  fupport  ot  the  npnllier  or 
\minifters  of  the  churches  cftabUOieci  by  the  laws 
of  this  province,  in  the  town  or  place  where  they 
dwell,  ihall  have  Uieir  p.^lls  taxed  toward  th^  lup- 
port  of  inch  minifter  or  ininiiiers,  nor  ihiW  iheir 
bodies  be  at  ar>iy  time  taken  in  execution,  to  fatis* 
fy  any  fuch  minii^erial  rate  or  tax,  affefled  upoa 
their  eftates  or  faculty.  Provided,  that  fuch  per* 
fon?  do  ufaal'y  attend  the  meetings  of  their  re- 
fpeclive  focieties,  afTembling  upon  the  Lord's-day* 
for  the  worlhip  of  God,  and  that  they  live  withiii 
^ve  7m!es  of  the  place  of  fuch  meeting."  Here  wa 
may  fee  that  tyrjinny  is  always  the  fame,  G& y6 
ferve  the  Lord  ;  only  let  yQur  JJci^ks  and  your  herds  he 
Jiayed^  faid  i^haraoh.     Let  their  bodies  be  exempt, 

B  ted. 


tm  APPEND!    t^ 

ted,  but  their  cftates  arid  faculties  be  taxed  faid 
the  Mallachufetts,  /  loiil  Jet  you  go,  that  ye  mayfacri^ 
Jice  to  the  Lord  your  God.  i?i  tht  iviidcrnefs  j  only  yoit 
^fhall  not  go  vvryfar  au-a%  laid  Pharoah.  Go  but 
five  miles,  faid  the  Maliachuletts;  Mr.  I'homas 
Holiis  of  London,  hid  received  fuch  accounts  of 
their  catholic  temper  at  Harvard-cbllege,  confirm-' 
ed  by  the  ordination  of  a  pious  youth  in  Bofton 
who  was  educated  there,  p.  523,  that  he  became 
the  grcateft  bcnefaclor  to  that  college  that  they 
ever  had*  And  I  have  a.  letter  which  he  wrote  to 
Mr.  Ephraim  Whcatoti,  paftor  of  the  firft  church 
m  Swanzey,  dated  March  23^  1723,  w^herein  h«* 
fays,  "  you  have  heard,  or  may  be  informed  by- 
Mr.  Callenderj  of  my  foundation  in  Harvard-col- 
lege, and  the  provifion  I  have  made  for  baptif?; 
youth  to  be  educated  for  the  miniftry,  and  equal- 
ly regarded  with  pedobaptiftsi  If  you  know  any 
as  may  be  duly  qualified,  inform  me,  and  I  ftiall  be 
glad  to  recommend  theJn  for  firft  vacancy."  But 
what  heart  could  behave  to  fend  any  youths  there, 
while  a  large  nuriiber  of  his  brethren,  who,  with 
himfelf,  lived  within  the  bounds  of  Rchcboth,wer© 
taxed  from  year  to  year  to  prefbytcriai:  minifters  r 
And  after  the  above  exem.pting  acl  was  madcj 
they  were  told  by  their  county  court,  that  it  did 
not  take  place  that  year.  And  for  refufing  to 
pay  fuch  taxes  any  longer,  elder  Wheatons  fon, 
and  27  more  of  his  people  were  feized  on  March 
3,  1729,  and  confined  in  Briftol  goal.  '^And  more 
or  lefs  of  fuch  things,  which  by  their  eminent  fa<< 
thcrs  are  called  tyranv.y  and  robbery^  p.  311,  52/, 
have  been  pra6lifcd  to  this  day  under  the  ma2c  of 
religion. 

And  my  dear  country-men,  I  mu ft  here  folemn- 
ty  sail  yew,  to  rtTkw   the  te;6t-  \rhieh  has  oftea. 

beeii. 


A   P    P   E   K  D  I  S; 


^ 


¥een  caft  upon  us  ;  vi:?,  Mark  them  ivho  caufe  di-^ 
vi/io?;s  and  offences ,  CQnttary  to  the  docirine  which  yfi 
have  learn$a,  and  avoid  them  :  for  they  that  arefiich^ 
Jfff've  not  our  Lord  Jejlis  Chriji^  but  their  own  belly  ; 
^nd  by  goed  w^rds  and  fair  fpeeches  deceive  tin  hearts 
ofthejimple.  The  uppermoit  parcy  in  every  Hate 
have  always  been  ready  to  apply  this,  word  ta 
thofe  who  refufe  a  iubmiilion  and  conformity  ta 
then;  in  religious  matters*  But  tlie  mark  is  fet 
upon  them  who  cauj's  divifiom^  not  nictTly  upon 
fuch  ^s  are  divided.  Joleph  was  Jeparcited  fiom. 
his  brethren,  without  his  being  the  faulty  caufe 
of  it.  Again  the  mark  is  put  upon  fuch  as  caufe 
diviiions  contrary  to  Chriji's  dociri?ie'.,  otlierwife  he 
declares  himfelf,  that  he  came  to.  fehd  diviiions 
upon  earth,  and  even  betv/ixt  near  relations.  This 
matter  is  juftly  iiatcd  in  p.  52,3 — 525.  The  in-, 
fpired  apofUe  commands  us  in  the  name  of  Chrift 
to  withdraw  from  every  brother  that  walketh  diforder' 
ly  :~^for  we  behaved  not  ourf elves  difcrderly  arnong  you^ 
neither  did  we  eat  any  mans  jj.read  Fea  nought, 
yet  this  great  diforder  has  long  been  praclifed  xm.-' 
dtv  good  words  and  fair  fpeechess  A  Pagan  mini- 
iter  who  loved  the  wages  of  imrighteoufiefsoiice  cudgell- 
ed Y^vi  beaft  molf  cruelly  for  not  carrying  him  for- 
ward againft  a  dr  w>i  fword^  whereby  he  would 
have  been  liain  r  and  though  the  dumb  afs^  [peaking 
•with  mans  voice,  forbd  the  madnef  of  the  prophet^ 
yet  the  above  practice  which  never  had  any  better 
fupport  than  tfcLe  cudgel  (p.  100.)  is  madley  pcrfucd 
by  many  who  call  tbemfelvs  chrijlians  to  this  day. 
A  convention  of  minifters  publiflied  li  difcourfe 
among  us  live  years  ago,  entitled  Catholicijm  ;  or 
(^hrijiian  charity  ;  wherein  after  faying  niany  ex-, 
cellent  things  about  charity,  they  in  p.  8,  accul'e- 
'i^ofe  v^'ho  fej^a.rated  frgna.  tlwr  c.QoiUtutioa  ia 


tt  APPENDIX. 

1744,  of  zeal,  yea  rather  fury  againft  "  giving  and 
receiving  minitlcrial  ibpport  ;"  and  witn  a  \^a>.tof 
*■'  conliilancy  and  hontity,"  for  noV  coming  into 
th-it  prariice  themfdves.  And  it  is  well  known  tliL.S; 
tail  C::nfare  is  levelled  againit  me  and  many  ot  my 
b:ethr(:n.  I  readiiy  confcfs  that  Heparatcd  iuiii 
th-:ir  vOnftittition  about  tl'C  clofe  of  that  year  ;  but 
pofitivt'ly  deny  that  ever  I  appeared  againft^/L/V/fj" 
A.'.i  recehrng  jninifteiial  fnpport,  and  know  noc 
tiiat  any  of  niy  orethren  in  the  miniKry  who  Itpa- 
rarcd  fr  -in  them  ever  did  fo.  Had  they  laid 
t\y-xi  vvc  we^'e  zca'ous  againft^T^A?'^  and  forcing  in 
fuch  cafes,  they  ,-ould  not  have  vvionged  the 
truth,  and  their  mighbours,  as  they  have  now 
cio;.e.  i\\z  conftitution  that  we  feparated  from, 
was  fornied  at  Saybrook  in  i:'o8,  which  fays, 
♦*  ijiat  the  churches  which  are  neighbouring  to  each 
other  pc^/i  con  foci  ate  for  mutual  affoiding  to  eal^h 
other  fucli  ailift;ince,  as  may  be  requiiite,  upon 
ALL  OCCASIONS  ECCLESIASTICAL."  And  their 
iirft  proof  to  fupporttliis  article  isFfalm  122,3, — 5» 
which  ipeaks  of  the  thrones  of  judgment  that  were 
fet  in  Jcufalem  for  the  hcufe  cf  David.  A  crafty 
ynlnifterial  governor,  fon  to  a  Maflachufett  magif- 
trate,  prevailed  with  ConnecLicut  kgiilature  to 
approbate  tliis  platform  the  next  year.  Another 
Cambridge  fcholiar  was  then  minifter  of  Norwich, 
and  war,  icfolute  to  introduce  the  fchcme  there. 
The  law  whereby  it  was  approbated  laid,  *'  Pro- 
vided, that  nothing  herein  fhall  be  intended  or 
conftrued  to  hinder  any  foclcty  or  church  that  is 
or  fliallbe  allowed  by  the  laws  of  this  government, 
from  exercifing  worfhip  and  difciplinc  in  their 
own  way,  according  to  tht.ir  coniciences."  \zt 
becaufe  Richard  Bulknel  and  Jofeph  Backus  Elq'rs 
repreientatives  for  Ngrwich  (^with  other  lathers  t/f 


A    P     P    E    N    B    I    X.  13 

the  town)  withdrew  from  the  minifters  party,  ra- 
ther than  come  under  that  yoke,  they  laid  them 
under  church  ceniure,  and   by   that   means  pro- 
cured their  expultion  out  of  the   next  aflcmbly 
when  they  met.     About  the  fame  time  Mr.  Stod-  ^ 
dard  publicly  advanced  his  fcheme  of  the  Lords- 
fupper  being  a  converting  ordinance,  p.  484,  And 
tho   with  much  labour   Norwich  got  rid  of  faid 
mmiiler,  and  fettled  another  upon    their  former 
principles,  yet  before  I  left  this  latter  minifter,  he 
not  only  plainly  difcovered  his  fondnefs  for   Say- 
br:)ok  platform,  but  actually  procured  a   vote  of 
the  church  to  receive  members  without   fo  much 
as  a  written  account  of  any  inward  change  ;  and 
they  practice  fo  to  this  day.     A  few   months  be- 
fore  I  feparated  Mr.  Elifha  Williams,  a  former  pre- 
•fident  of  Yale -college,   publifhed  a  jcafonahle  flea, 
for  the  rights  of  confcience^  wkcrein  he  fays,  "  The 
fountain  and  original  of  all  civil  power  hfrom  the 
feop:e,  and  is  certainly  inftituted  for  their   fakes  ; 
the  great  end  of  civil  government,    is  the  prefer- 
vation  of  their  perfons,  their  liberties,  and   their 
property.     A  chrifiian  is  to  receive  his  chriilianity 
FROM  Christ  alone  ;   for  what  is   it  which  is 
neceflarily  implied  an4,fuppofed  in  the  very  notion 
of  a  CHRisTiA\  but  this,  that  he  is  Tifolhiver   and 
difc'ipk  c/'cHR.iST  !  As  Chrifts  officers  have  aurho- 
rity  to  teach  men  his  mind  in  things  pertaining  to 
his  kingdom  ;  fo  they  have  no  authority  to  teach 
men  any  thing  but  the  mind  and  will   of   Chrift. 
It  is  a  truth  that   fhines  with  a   meridian   bright- 
nefs,  that    whatever  is   not  contained, in    a  corn- 
million,    is   out   of  it  and  excluded  by  it  ;   and 
the  teaching  HIS  LAWS    only  being  contained  in 
the  commlffion,  what  is  not  his  law  is  out  of  it, 
and  by  that  commifTion  they  arc  excluded  from 
teaching  it,  or  forbid  by  it.''  BvT 


f%  A   1^    P    E    N    D    I    X. 

But  what  can  be  more  contrary  hereto  thaa. 
for  a  civil  legeflature  to  form  typy  town  and  pa«f 
fifli  into  ffligious/ocidies,  2ijid  to  force  every  inha- 
bitant therein  either  to  fupporfe  the  ininiflcr  which 
the  qiajority  have  chofen,  or  elfi?  to  pay  a  yearly 
^cknowiedgrnent  to.  that  ufarped  power  over 
^heir  confciences  !  And  which  isi  as  reai  a  breach 
of  pubUc  faith  in  pur  charter,  as  ever  it  was  for 
the  Britifh  court  to,  take  from  i^s  the  right  of 
^hoofing  pnr  own  governors,  and  then  to  burn 
pur  towns  and  cut  our  throats  for  natp.iyingthem^ 
as  much  money  as,  they  demanded.  1  have  the 
(^xpreis  tcftimony  of  the  ciders  and  brethren  of 
fcvcateen  of  pur  baptift  churches,  whometlafl 
year  ^t  Grafton,  that  they  intircly  agree  with  thc^ 
fentiments.  and  principles  receited  in  our  hiftory, 
p.  14— -32,  excepting  that  of  infant  baptifm  ;  yet 
great  numbers  of  them  have  been  taxed  to  pedo'^' 
paptifts  minifters  fince  that  tinic,  only  becauic  we 
refufc  to  pay  any  furtner  ackno\fvledgment  to  the 
abnvcfaid  ului  ped  power  over  our  confcience?.. 
And  ir.'ce  it  is  abundantly  evident  that,  our  former 
fuffe»"ings  would  hav?  been  erea,ter  irom  the  rul- 
ing party  here  than  they  wei'c,  if  ii  had  not  been. 
for  rellrainta;  fiom  the  Britifh  Gomt  ;  and  a«  it: 
is  aUb  certrin  that  attempts  have  been  made  from 
thence  to  prevent  our  uniting  now  with  our  coun- 
try againfl  their  invaiions,  how  can  thofc  who. 
ftill  incline  to  opprefe  us  ever  expc<ft  to  profpcr^ 
if  they  view  the  matter  either  in  a  natural,  or  a 
judicial  light  ?— rrConfidered  in  a  natural  light  -y, 
when  we  know  and  can  prove  that  feveral  thou- 
fand  dollars  worth  of  eflatcs  have  been  wralied 
from  us  on  religious  accounts,  lince  the  present 
contefl  for  civil  liberty  commenced,  with  what 
iicart  can  wc  obey  or  fupport  the  ^ower  whicl*. 


i$  A    J?    P    E    N    D    t    1. 

ftitl  denies  us  equal  liberty  of  Cohfcience  wit3^ 
themlclvcs.  And  conlidering  things  judicially-jy 
let  luch  read  the  warnings  their  fathers  had,  witii 
their  effects,  p;  261—^265^  39^>'^3^5*  '7^7-^52 ij 
and  then  venture  on  further  in  that  way  if  thcf" 
dare. 

It  is  to  be  noted,  that  a  visry  large  number  of 
our  cOuntry-men  of  various  denominations  are 
for  the  equal  liberty  we  fpeak  of  ;  and  1  defire  all 
to  ad  in  the  cafe  by  the  rule  Mr.  Robinfon  pre- 
fcribes  p.  12,  13.  and  (hall  eiofc  with  the  word^ 
*S)fthe  aforefaid  Mr.  Goddard,  viz* 

In  ancient  ages,  wheri  the  Eiiglifli  realm 
And  popifh  zelots,  placed  at  the  helm 
To  ftablilli  that  religion  :  tythes  were  fix'4 
By  cannon  laws,  with  civil  intermix'd. 
Which  forrh'd  the  Englifll  cdnftitution  fd^ 
That  after-ages  can't  the  tythes  forego  : 
And  hence  diffenters  are  obliged  there. 
To  pay  incumbantSi  whom  they  never  hear^ 
Which  fome  condemn,  as  a  prelatic  game^ 
Who  y£t,  by  major  vote  would  play  the  fam^  j 
And  lorjO  majority  would  claim  the  purfe 
For  his  incumbants  ;  than  which  nothing  wcrffii 
Lordly  diocefan,  himfelf,  can  claim  : 
So  thefe  two  Lords  do  differ,  but  in  name. 
One  pleading  EUglifh  laws,  for  h-is  fupport  5 
The  other  feigning  ads  of  Our  own  edurt  ^ 
AUedging  law,  in  a  prevertcd  fenfe 
To  render  charter  grant,  a  raeer  pretertce  J 
And  as  if  law  and  charter  both  intend 
To  crufll  one  church,  another  to  befriend  : 
They'd  make  them  mean,  the  fame  that  Phafok 

faid, 
Goferve  the  Lord,  bid  let  icUrflbch  he  flafd. 
3But  if  one  church  be  tax'd,  to  ferve  another^ 
N©  matter  whether^  done  by  this  or  t'other* 


ERRATA* 

PAGE  4,  line  2,  read  ordinaries,  /.  30,  r.  pradice.  p.  1 8.  L 
3{,r.  excommunicate  them.  P.  31,/.  9,  r.  as  entire  /.  23- 
r.  Lcvites  to.  P.  44,  /.  24,  r.  were.  P,  53,  /  4,  for  iVi:.fr<cbu, 
fetts,r.  colonics.  P.  5^>  /.  10,  r.  John.  P.  62.  /.  22,  r.  the.  P. 
81,  marg.  /.  13,  r,  94  P.  85,  m^rg.  /.  1  i,  r  roith.  P  8  ,^  /• 
22,  r.  nineteen.  P.  96,  correal  by  P.  529  P.  98,  line  ult.  r.  a-,  P« 
107  /.  5.  r.  Thom-ts  Olney  and  his  wife.  P.  1  10,  /.  32, r.  intc  tht 
church.  P.  145,/.  24,  r.  Reyncr.  P.  147,  marg. /.  17.  r.  Al-cc^S 
or.  P.  159.  L  8,  r.  before  the.  P.  163,  /.  31,  r.  p.  58.  P  l6<;',  /. 
20,  r.  armories.  P.  172,/.  10,  r.  peacably,  /.  29,  r.  if  his  /.  3, 
r.  ihefe.  P.  180. /.  20,  r.  to  be.  P.  214, /.  I3.  r  Aldcn.  P.  .^38 
/.  17,  r.  give  ail.  P.  246,  /;  6,  r.  join  with.  P.  247,  /  4:-, 
fins,  I.  9,  r.  he  would.  P.  273,  /.  4.  r  to  force  or.  P  274.  icn.i  g. 
I.  3,  r,  Robert  Carr.  P.  277,  /.  27,  r.  charter.  P  281,  mai  t. 
/.  12, r.  that  I,  /.  14,  r.  fide,  and  do  promife  loving  carriage  of 
myfeif .  P.  285 ,  /.  10,  r.  guilty  of.  P.  288,  /.  3  >.  r.  noife  whereof. 
P.  290,  /.  24.  r.  or.  P.  296  marg,  /.  9,  r.  and  Richard 
Townfend.  P.  299,  /.  16,  r.  dare  not.  P.  302,  /,  13,  r,  afTcmblcri, 
/.  33,  r.  to  this.  P.  303,  /-  II,  r.  -with  the  reff  of  tht  Providence 
plantations  in  the.  P.  307.  /  3.  dele  friends,  /.  ij.r.  oncicfs 
with. P.  309, r.  /.23.in  the.  P.  31 1,  /.  30,  r.  wiongcd  P.314,  /.15:, 
r.  ofa.  p.  3  2 1,  marg.  /.  2,  againft  the.  P.  323, /.  5,  r.  rfn^t'rrte 
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